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.

Dad, You were always the shining light of any room you walked in, if only you could have seen that. Your wings were ready but my heart definitely was not. Dad, My hero, always and forever. Remembering you this Christmas and every day xxx

Missing you this Christmas Joan and always
Sending you lots of love xxxxx

To my wonderful husband Andy
Missing you so much but have such wonderful memories of a life well lived. Love you forever
Carol xxx

Thinking of you grandma as always and treasure those special memories and all the laughter we shared as a family over the years. You’ll always be truly treasured in our hearts and never forgotten. Love you always mum, grandma & great gran gran from your loving family xxxxxxx

Merry Christmas to you all you are all loved and missed sending big hugs and kisses to you all

I love you so much and I miss you so much. I wish you was here this Christmas.
Love From,
Annie.

Christmas was something we looked forward to as a family and it brought us all together from Yorkshire, the North East and overseas. Sadly, with the passing of so many it has now become a solo event, with time for reflection of those wonderful times.

Always in our thoughts and our hearts x

Missing you so much all our love from Paul, emma,and pets xxxx

Our beautiful and precious mum and nanny, we miss you so very much, every day. The love you showed us lives on in our hearts forever and we cherish times spent with you. Our first Christmas without you will be so hard but we know you are with us and looking down on us. Love you forever and always Claire, Rachel, Isabelle, Elsa, Fergal and Emelina xxxxx

You will always be part of me…

For my lovely Dad and a special Grandad.
Miss you every day. Always in our hearts. Forever loved xxx

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.

Dear Nan, you were the light of our lives and the heartbeat of our family. Losing you so suddenly has left a void that can never be filled. Our lives will never be the same without you, but I promise you will never be forgotten nor will the ones you lost in your life either. Your love and kindness will always be with us, guiding us through the darkest times. Here's a message you can use:

Christmas was always your favourite time of year, and we will honour you by keeping all of our traditions alive. We will make sure to celebrate in true style, just as you would have wanted. Your spirit will be with us every step of the way, and we’ll cherish those memories as we come together as a family xx

Dot was a wonderful Wife, Mum, Nana and Big Nana, she was such a awesome lady ,who would do anything for anyone and everyone loved her , she is missed so massively every single day. This light will be so fitting because it is just how she lit up our lives, and in our memories she always glows brightly ❤️x

Merry Christmas Dad
I'll make sure that I have a bailey's or two for you!
You're in my thoughts every single day. I love you so much and I will carry on missing you until we are reunited again.
Love you always,
Sarah
Xxxxx

I will forever miss you.
Thank you for everything.
Goodnight, god bless
I love you
Xxxx

We miss you both dreadfully. Although we are happy you are both back together again. I think of you both every day and I’m so grateful I was there for you both. Keep shining that light down for me. Until we meet again we love you ❤️

Much loved Husband, Dad, Poppa
We all miss you.

Forever in our hearts at Christmas time and always.
Mum and Dad – David and Helen, we remember you together this Christmas time for the first time without you both here with us. You are missed every day of the year however we know you are never both far from us – always in our thoughts and our hearts.

Dad, you passed away 18th Oct 2020, you were our hero and the strength and backbone of our family.
Mum, you passed away 20th Dec 2020, you were always there for us when we needed to talk. We are all so shocked but understand that you didn’t want to be separated from dad after being together for 58 years.
We are devastated and in so much pain right now from losing you both, the only bit of comfort we have is knowing that you are back together, side by side where you belong. Please don’t worry about us, in time we will be ok and we will look out for one another like you’ll want us to do.
We will never forget you and everything you did for us, you will be missed so much and our lives from now on will never be the same.
Take care of one another mum and dad, we’ll see you again one day, sleep tight,
Your loving daughters,
Michele, Simone and Rosalind
XXX

Dear Grandad,
It will be the first Christmas without you this year, but I know you’ll be by outside always. Love you always. Katie and Emilie xx

Thinking of you at this special time of year as we do everyday x We miss and love you x from Rita, Jane, John, Jessica, Chris, Holly, Eleanor, Poppy, Mal xxx

Hi,

This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you. Sorry for not being the best sister. Maybe in another life we'll beat cancer. I love you.