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.

Wishing my dad and father in law a merry heavenly christmas truly the best time of the year. You might not both be here in body but your spirit is alive and you are both remembered every day. These lights are for you, and will shine brightly for all to see ss this is the time we wish you were here.

In memory of mum, Shirley Farquhar, the heart of our family, who loved Christmas with her family. A loving wife, mum and nanny and soon to be great nanny. Hard to believe our 10th Christmas without you, although you are always with us. We miss you and love you always. Eternal thanks always to the Hospice at Home team who enabled mum to be at home.

Stu, missing you more than ever, five years on yet it seems like yesterday x

Love you always my beautiful mum, my best friend xxx wish I still had you with me, but as they say, the best ones are always taken.

So many Christmas memories of the biggest kid of them all. So loved, so missed xxx

Miss you Dad, until we meet again.
Love always Shaun, Scott, Kelly and Jade xxx

To my mum, who gave me a stocking every Christmas even when I was grown up. Merry Christmas and lots of love, Sarah x

To a much loved and greatly missed husband and best friend. Life is not living without your love, kindness and amazing sense of humour. Til we meet again. xx

Thinking of my dear Brother and two Sister in Laws. Taken too soon by the dreaded cancer. Remembered with affection by Mole and Barb.

Ethan, our Et.
Loved to Infinity & Beyond.
Miss you always and forever.
Mum, Dad Hugh & Grace ❤️

Dear Desmond,
I know your looking down everyday and you should be so proud of what you see, Wishing I could have met you

Love you always Dad xxx ❤️

Will be missing you this Christmas.
Love you so much!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you Mum and Dad.
I miss you both so much but am thankful for every memory and moment spent with you.
Love you both with all my heart, then, now and always
Blair xxx

Daniel, Not having you with us all to celebrate Christmas is not something we will ever get use to. This year our first without you will be so hard however Ethan, Harper and I will try to smile and fill it full of laughter like you would have done. Your sense of humour is what got us all through the hardest of times. We will all use this same outlook on life at Christmas to make it as special as it can be. You will be in our thoughts and in all that we do xx You are so missed, yet still loved so much xx

St Barnabes allowed us all as a family to have that quality time. The children were able to spend time with their Dad in a comfortable and safe setting. The staff went above and beyond for us all and embraced Dans wicked sense of humour. They made him feel safe and cared for him with such compassion and dignity. We were all looked after nothing was ever too much trouble. The most important thing they did was allowed us to have some extra time and memories.

Having a light shine in honour of Dan warms our hearts and gives us some comfort.

It was never goodbye but see you soon
Every day is a Dan day
Forever loved

Always Vicky, Ethan and Harper xx

Every

Knowing we can give back to them in this way helps us all feel we are doing something when a Thank you just isn’t enough for our gratitude.

Miss you each and everyday.
This year you would have been a great grandad, and what a great one you would have been. Your great grandson has Johnny as his middle name, after you.

We love and miss you Dad/ Grandad/ Husband and Great Grandad
Happy Christmas and shine bright
X

Someone who brought light, love and laughter to everyone x

Thinking of you this Christmas, with your red jumper and white beard, always our very own Santa. Miss you xxx

We have lost our dear Grandad Cavill at 93 this year. But due to COVID restrictions we didn’t get to say our goodbyes. He said many times he was ready to be in heaven with Grandma Cavill which brings our family peace. I’m hoping he will be up there this Christmas making everyone his Christmas cake and having a pint.

Special memories of my lovely mum. Loved and missed every day.mum u was simply the best.always in my heart mum.love you ….Linda xx

There will always be an empty chair for you to join us at our table on Christmas Day and everyday. I miss and love you with all my heart. Xxxx

Gill. Although you are not with us in person we see you and feel you every day in our hearts, and we have some of the best conversations. We still go everywhere together hand in hand and we always will. I hear you shout encouragement to the boys when they play football and I know they feel your support. We love you so much, Kevin, Claire Brett Rosie, Stuart Heidi Jayden Jacob & Jess xxxxxxxxx