We love you very much mum and grandma. Forever grateful to St Barnabas. Love. Jade and Fred xx

My first Christmas without a hug and smile from you will be difficult but I will remember how lucky I have been to call you ‘Mum’ for so many years and how wonderful it was to be your son.

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.

Keep your light shining Jonathan xx

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.

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

December is a time that brings back memories of family Christmases when we were young with Mum and Dad making it all so special. Now as an adult with my own kids, we miss having them over to us to celebrate. There is too much space around the dinner table without them.

My wonderful Dad was a loving and caring Dad and Grandad. His birthday was a week before Christmas. We always made it special for him with it being so close to celebrating Christmas. He felt he missed out when he was younger! We always had a family get together – a birthday tea on the 18th December. When we were little and later when our children were small we knew it would be a week until Santa would have visited. I have wonderful memories of my Dad. He is deeply missed every day. Happy Christmas my darling Dad. Forever in our hearts.
Love Karen, Jim and Michael xxx

Remembering you with our love at Christmas time

forever in my thoughts and always in my heart especially at Christmas.
Love you Jan xx.

Love and miss you Dad every day love from Karen xx

Nan was a wonderful lady who always enjoyed herself. Miss you lots Nan, wish you was here to see the girls growing, you would be so proud! Love you lots xx

In our memories you both live on x x x With Love Always x x x

Merry Christmas Dad! (And Grandad)

Miss you so very much and love you even more.

Always in our thoughts xxx

Our first Christmas without you Mum/ Nannie, We miss you so much. Happy Heavenly Christmas xxxx

The kindest, bravest man that I had the pleasure of being married to, putting his family first in everything he did. Someone taken from us way too soon, is missed by many but will always remain young & beautiful. X

As you mentioned, when the fireworks go off across the season we will continue to think of you and your forever spirit (living on in us) remembering silly moments including you allowing swings on beams inside!

Keith ,you will always shine bright in the sky and down on us all xx

Auntie Gail,
Missing you every single day, lots of love from Lily x

Merry Christmas to my beautiful grandma in the sky. I love you so much and miss you every single day. Love Jasmin xx

In memory of my lovely mum at Christmas, missed so very much every day.

Missed so much at Christmas time
Loved and missed always
Never forgotten
Love as always from your loving daughter Sandra xxx

Forever in our hearts and memories.
Love and miss you always.
Love always and forever
Sandra, Rod, Bradley and Tegan xxx

Miss you so much. Rip

My dad was the most kindest amazing man anyone could ever know, I have so many beautiful memories of him and miss him terribly, he is always in my thoughts and I will forever love him, happy Christmas daddy love always Sharon xx

Remembering you Mum and Dad at Christmastime.
We love and miss you so so much.
Love from Kim, Phil, Jem, Mark, Oliver, Em Tom and baby Max xxxx