Mum was a people person. She would look you in the eye, smile and ask how you were with genuine interest and concern. She put people at their ease with her warmth and playful humour. Mum’s kindness and compassion will live on in our hearts and we will all miss her smile and laughter.
Mum grew up at the bottom of Honeypot Lane, Queensbury with her father James, mother Hilda and elder sister Heather. She took in a stray dog, a black labrador who she named Rex. She loved to play with him and look after him. She was also very good on a pogo stick, apparently.
Mum went to Chiswick College to study home economics before getting a job at Woman’s Realm magazine, working for the cookery editor. She prepared the food for the cookery features and her hands could be seen holding the cake of the week in numerous issues at the time.
After marrying Dad they lived the high life of fast cars and flashy clothes and a hectic social whirl centred on the Officers’ Mess at Dad’s RAF bases.
This misery was brought to an end in 1966 with the arrival of yours truly and the following year version 2, Mat, arrived. Mum had her hands full then and I remember when we were 6 and 7 kicking down the garden fence. Mum took it really rather well, all things considered.
Soon after that James arrived and I remember Mum bringing him home from the hospital and how proud she was. I found it remarkable how much love and attention she lavished on this tiny baby.
40 years ago the family moved to Hyde Heath and Mum was determined to put down roots and establish a secure home for us all. So when Dad was posted to the North of Scotland and then Holland, there were some difficult times. However the family pulled through and by the time Mat and I went to University, Dad was working back in the London area.
Soon it was James’s turn to go to University and Mum embarked on a second career as a teaching assistant and then a special welfare assistant, helping children with learning difficulties. I remember Mum telling me about some challenging cases she had with children from difficult backgrounds. But with her reserves of patience and kindness Mum was able to produce successful outcomes even then.
Mum also taught English to an elderly Asian lady who had moved to the UK. Mum took naturally to these caring roles and she relished the opportunity to help others.
On retirement Mum studied Art at Amersham College and produced many paintings and drawings over the years: she was and intensely creative person. Throughout her retirement Mum maintained a keen interest in the arts, music and literature. She would have several books on the go at any one time and she often went with Dad to the theatre, opera and ballet both in London and locally at Wycombe Swan Theatre.
Mum took a close interest in her grandchildren and I know Tom and Milly stayed during the school holidays. Mum and Dad visited us in Worthing often to see Lawrence and Luke shoot up over the years. They also regularly visited James in Notting Hill to see Mackenzie and Tyler and attend their school productions and football matches.
A few years ago Mum was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, a degenerative condition of the brain. She had evidently been suffering with this for some years and it had affected her physical and mental health to some extent. Over the last year Mum’s condition deteriorated and unfortunately she died shortly after her 80th birthday.
My Dad, my brothers and I visited Mum on her 80th and read out her cards with good will messages and sang Happy Birthday to her. She smiled kindly even then, although she was quite unwell.
So it is with great sadness that I talk to you today, but also pride. Mum’s loving kindness will live on in our hearts and we will all remember her smile and laughter, and the joy that she created.