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.

Merry Christmas Pops. You are very much loved and will be missed dearly.

Remembering with love my dear husband Bill this being the second Christmas without you. Miss you so much and you will always remain in my heart.

My mum is battling cancer – we are so very proud of you mum. We will love you forever x

To Kevin,

I’ve never met you, but want to say how wonderful your daughter is. There were times I didn’t think I would make it through the year, but she has saved me in more ways than she’ll ever know and I will be forever grateful.

You should be sooooo proud of her and I know she misses you so much.

Hopefully one day I’ll get to meet you and tell you how wonderful she is, how she has turned in to a beautifully funny and kind person, always thinking about others.

James

To our special very dearly missed Mum Bunty and Dad Albie Brooks.

We love you always, Angels keep you safe to watch over us all xxxx

Merry Christmas! We miss you everyday and love you forever Jake.

Merry Xmas Julie always in our hearts xxx

Miss you every day, Nan. Love you to the moon and back, always xxxx

My beautiful Grandma. May god bless you and I hope you are resting in peace. I love you so much. Heaven gained an angel when you left us and you’ll be forever my guardian angel ❤️????

Dad, you are so missed, especially now. Christmas was a time you always made so special and magical. Thank you for being the best Dad anyone could ask for, I’ll always be grateful for the years we had and for the memories you left behind. You & Mum gave me the best life I could’ve asked for, full of love and laughter. No words can ever describe how much you are loved and missed, every day. ❤️

Happy Christmas, miss you so much, love Tracy, James, Mark, Rachel, Cy, Lucy and Emily x

Always Loved. Always Remembered. Always With Us. Keep Shining Bright Mum xxx

My daddy, the day you left my sparkle stopped shining missing you everyday not just at Christmas forever my bestie and hero love you more xoxox

I always see you in the night sky shining bright! Love you always Nannie xx

Sadly lost due to Cancer I am remembering her love for me.

We miss you very much.
Merry Christmas xx

Sleep tight, Mart. Always missed and remembered with love.

Tony
Missing you every day hard to be without you after being in my life for 65 years, married for 55 years and raising two great sons.
It’ll be hard this Christmas without you Tony.
I sang for you in the Community Choir on Tuesday night, 21 November, every word remembering our life together.
All My Love Gill xx

Happy christmas our beautiful little boy have a magical christmas up there keeping shinning bright our brightest star and keep dancing away we love you x

Dad died in St Barnabas in 2008 ,the care and dedication given to him by the staff was excellent. Everyone was so kind,from the trained staff to the domestic staff, through the sadness shone dedication and happiness.Thankyou so much x

Dad,
We miss you so much, but our happy family memories help us to remember you with a smile every day,
Love,
Deborah and Nigel