Keith; I love you now, I love you always. Thank you for loving me! My heart is broken, but I'm so thankful to have known you. You are missed every single day. All my love, Victoria xxx

Dad
We miss your smiling face every day. Life is a little dimmer without you in it.
Love you always,
Jen xoxoxo

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.

I miss you playing little jingles to wake us up on Christmas morning. I miss the smile on your face and excitement in yours eyes when you present us with Christmas stockings – that you STILL did for us all even as adults each year. I miss the strange/odd gifts you used to buy me that you thought I’d love! I miss seeing you dancing and singing to ‘rocking around the Christmas tree’ (usually in something red!) in the kitchen while we prepped and cooked Christmas dinner together… and so much more besides.

I regret that you never saw me happy with Russ who I met the year after you passed and I am saddened that you never got to hold your Grandchild Oakley. But you live on in all of us and Russ tells me he feels like he knows you as I speak of you so often and Oakley will feel the same in time I’m sure it – he already has a lot of love for ‘Nanny Bear’ who he kisses and cuddles often. I tell him he has to be a good boy as Nanny is always watching and checking in on him!

We miss you Mum, our sun moon and stars xxxxxx

This will be the first Christmas without my wonderful Mum.
Miss her so very much every day and would do anything for a coffee and chat with her.

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.

To our beloved mum, Nanna and great Nanna we shine a light in your memory we miss you much. We think about you every day. We know you are around us guiding us on our way and keeping watch over us. Words can’t say how much we miss you, there’s a big hole in our lives. Love always xxx

David, the love of my life. Always on my mind, forever in my heart.

Stu, the pain of losing you never goes away, but the memories and joy that you brought shine through even the darkest days. x

A wonderful husband and father – Betty, Andy, Sheila and Christine

Elaine was the most beautiful, kind, caring and compassionate wife and mum. 41 years of marriage and our love grew stronger year by year. So unlucky to lose her too soon but so lucky to have met her and for us to realise we were meant for each other. Elaine, you will never be forgotten, I will never stop loving you; until we meet again, forever yours, Richard xx

Doreen, my little sister such a bright and refreshing person.

Pamela, my sister with a lovely smile.

Merry Christmas Skali I hope you’ll be drinking wine and dancing.
Always thinking of you and miss you loads.
Love little Em xxx

Much loved husband dad and gran gran greatly missed never forgotten Xx

Missing you so much. Wish with all my heart that you were here. Remembering past Christmases. Always loved and will always be remembered.
Mum, Jasmine and Jamie xxx

With love at Christmas and always Grandad.
Your always in our hearts
All our Love
Lucy and family and
Jake and family x x

Our first Christmas apart I miss you so much
Rest peacefully

To my wonderful Dad
With so much love today and every day
Jill
xxxx

In memory of a wonderful friend- deeply missed and will never be forgotten x

Mum, you passed away 20th December 2020, 2 months and 2 days after dad. We are still in shock a year on, how cruel it was that you were taken from us as well as uncle Ed and dad in the same year. Despite us being absolutely devastated we understand that you didn’t want to be separated from dad after 58 years together. The only comfort we have is knowing you are back together, side by side where you belong. We did this for dad and uncle Ed and their lights shine bright on the Christmas tree so this is for you mum.
Happy Christmas, we love and miss you all so so much,
From your loving daughters Michele, Simone and Rosalind xxx

Remembering all the special times we had growing up, you were the best big brother I could have hoped for. We laughed, cried, squabbled but always the best of friends. I miss you more than people know. Love you always, Sarah xxxx

Dad,

Thank you for everything your taught me and memories you created.

So glad you got to meet Zavier, I know your looking down protecting him.

The best mum and dad my sister and I could have wished for.

Greatly loved and missed

Mum passed away in March, just 7 weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday with a small party and her precious card from the Queen.

Christmas will be very different and you will be sadly missed by the family, but we have lots of happy memories to share ????

Love Lynne, Tim, Ruth, Ed, Rebecca x

Love you and miss you every day sister – you are in my thoughts always xxx

The brightest star, love and miss you always. Forever by my side. x