Another Christmas alone. Judy you were my life and only love of our 61 years of marriage. What is life to me without thee? What is life if Thou art Dead?
Colin
Allan a very good friend who will be always remembered
You are often in my thoughts and always in my heart. I miss you so much. Love you Dad. Merry Christmas x
Hello, I have made a kind donation in memory of my amazing mum, Sarah and would love to share her story.
My mum was cared for by St Barnabas hospice, and stayed in the inpatient unit November-December 2024. At the age of 38 she had been diagnosed with a rare, incurable form of genetic lung cancer. Her short battle with cancer was terrible for us all to see, but the incredible care she received at your hospice meant the world to us.
One of the last memories we ever made with our mum was watching the torchlight procession together outside the unit. The staff assisted in bundling my mum up in blankets and fluffy socks and wheeled her outside to watch the light walk with her family and children. There were tears, smiles, laughter, kind words and hugs from those passing by. I am heartbroken yet honoured to be participating in the walk this year in honour of my mother.
On the 4th of December, the staff set up their conservatory to allow us to spend one last Christmas Day as a family. We laid presents under the beautiful tree, played music and ate a Christmas dinner and cakes brought in by family. My mum was able to watch her young boys and teenage girls open the presents she’d picked out for them earlier in the year, alongside being spoilt herself with lots and lots of bracelets, teddy bears and skincare! The nurses were constantly on hand to assist with pain management and ensuring my mum was comfortable throughout the day.
The staff gave it their all, from washing, brushing and drying mum’s hair to being there for a broken family in the worst moments of their life. They went above and beyond to allow us to make those last memories. The nurses constantly spoke to me and my siblings and ensured we were staying as strong as possible! Mandy stayed with us as my mum took her last breaths and I’m forever grateful that we had her support and guidance, and that she showed my mum complete compassion and gentle care right up until the end.
My mum was treated with respect and dignity until the moment she left your unit. She loved the yummy food, joking around with her nurses and watching the squirrels and birds from her window. It felt like home.
Thank you St Barnabas, we will always keep your charity close to our hearts. You have made a huge difference to our lives.
Dearly loved,Immensely missed, forever proud.
Laura was the queen of Christmas, she would always be in the festive spirit super early and her house was like a grotto. I have many fond memories of seeing Laura just before Christmas, laughing, being silly, reminiscing and having a lovely time. I miss her everyday.
A memory of Malc's smile and sense of humour. They never left him right to the end, such a brave man.
A beautiful inspirational daughter, a wonderful mother to my 2 grandchildren and Nana to my great grandchildren. Missed but remembered every single day xxxxx
For a wonderful Dad and Grandad remembering all the special memories
Love Jo,Adam,Amy,Tom & Ellis xxx
A great person, popular and friendly, loved by everyone especially his family
Will love and miss you always, sis and girlies
A special husband, Dad and Grandad
Constantly loved, ever remembered xxxx
11th December 1926 – 20th February 2015
Loved and remembered everyday.
Gone but never forgotten – my lovely and special Dad.
Jennifer xx
Loved and missed , every day .You would make us laugh , at Christmas with your silly jokes,and trying to carve the turkey, your way which never went right.Xx
Love and miss you so much Babe.
Forever yours, Mary
xxxxxxxxxxx
We are remembering my Grandad. An amazing trombone player in his day as well as a terrifically talented joiner. My Grandad was like a built in best friend. So funny, his smile and laugh just lit up the entire room. And I would always feel safe and secure whenever he was near, he just had a calming presence. He always reassured you that you would be fine and give you a big squeeze and you would instantly feel better. My grandad was so determined, this showed when he had a stroke when I was younger and he had to learn how to read, write and speak again and he did. He passed away two years ago now from falling on a rainy day and after all he had achieved recovering from those traumas, it left such a hole in our lives for him to be suddenly taken when he was so healthy. Our lives are definitely different without him as he was such a light and a joy. Everyone who met him says the same, he was just a force of nature. The best husband, father and grandad in the world.
We are also remembering my Granny (Grandad’s wife) unfortunately she passed when I was a baby so I didn’t get much time with her, which really upsets me but when I hear all the wonderful and also funny stories about her I truly feel like I know her so well. She was so kind, so creative, also a force of nature. She was very determined, she ran a restaurant whilst taking care of her family and just had so many feathers to her cap! She had an eye for detail. I wish I could have spent years on end with her, going around antique shops which she so dearly loved. She was a treasured wife, mother and Granny.
We are also remembering my Auntie Bridget. When my granny passed away Auntie Bridget sort of took on the role of Granny duties. And to this day , I can say she truly shaped who I am. She was so kind, so delicate, always fair. Auntie Bridget loved church and keeping her rosary beads close to her (which is something I like to do now because of her), everything in her home was perfect and beautiful. Some of the best memories of my childhood are school holidays at my Auntie Bridget’s. And walking through her front door and getting a whiff of her homemade chicken soup that she was cooking. Everyone who knew her, held a special place in their hearts for Auntie Bridget and that’s a fact. We miss her everyday.
And finally we are remembering my Granny Flynn (Auntie Bridget’s sister and my Mums Granny) she too passed when I was baby so I don’t have any memories with her and I so wish I did because of the stories I hear she was such a kind and wonderful person to know. I have one picture of her holding me when I was just born, I’m asleep in her lap and she is looking down at me just like an angel and she is so very gently holding my tiny hand with the tips of her fingers, the picture is so beautiful and special because although I never knew her that picture shows how much she loved me and how many memories we would have made together , the memories would have been wonderful. My mum describes her as so elegant and very much “a lady” and she was a huge part of my mum’s growing up, almost everyday they would see her, she was like a “second mum”. It just shows how treasured she was.
Thinking of you and miss every day
Remembering my Angel and Brightest Star with love at Christmas and always xx
Remembering you both with love
Greatly loved and missed
Benjamin, you are in our hearts forever, we miss you so very very much so much more than words can ever say.
Thankyou Dad for your love, dedication and valuable guidance you showed to me. Your legacy of fairness and compassion will always be with me. Thinking of you fondly,not only at Christmas,but all the year through. Love "P" xxx
Dave and Anne
Always in our hearts and memories
Suzanne and Joe Xx
23rd Christmas without you and it still feels like yesterday, loved and remembered every single day, xxx
Thinking of my Mum and Dad at Christmas and everyday. They were amazing parents x
Happy heavenly Christmas
Love always
Auntie Mary,uncle Gordon
& family