Two years since you left us but you are thought of everyday. Lots of memories of days walking in the park amongst the daffodils, along the beaches at Sandbanks, and sitting watching the big ships come by at Felixstowe. Those holidays in Dorset and Scotland where the sheep had two legs shorter on one side to be able walk around the mountains. Trips to Speedway tracks with your Brother Douglas who is with you now. You fought the horrible illness until the Lord called you home. God Bless you. Until we meet again.

Auntie Marie just wasn’t any old Auntie, she was my Auntie and not only was she my Auntie but she was my friend too. The most easy person to talk to in the world. I’d often find myself talking to her for hours and hours about things I couldn’t share with others and she would just sit and listen. She lived my journey to have children with me and I remember us crying together when I lost my baby and us crying together when I was pregnant with the next. Speaking of that next one, Great Auntie Marie just loved Samuel to pieces. If only she could have met Amber as well I know she would have been a proud Great Auntie to her too. Auntie Marie had this special aura about her which filled the room with calm and I always felt happy and content when she was near. She would just ooze warmth and love and I know that everyone would agree. My visits to Bury were the highlight of my year. I would look forward to them for months and months and they would never disappoint. I had everything I wanted and more. From chocolate on my bedside table to goodnight kisses Auntie Marie never let me down. Her generosity was admirable and she wouldn’t let me leave until I had presents for everyone to bring back with me. She was always sad to see me go and if only I’d known that my visit this time last year would have been my last.......... Auntie Marie I miss you so much and wish I could turn back time. I would have stayed a little longer and hugged you a little tighter. Caroline xxx

MEMORIES OF MARIE Bear with me, I may have difficulties getting through this If you see me smiling or maybe joking, it’s my way of handling this. I believe that anyone here today could come up with some of the things I’m going to say because we all have such wonderful memories of Marie. She was a loving, kind, and caring person. She cared more for everyone around her than she did for herself. Family and friends, she cared for us all. On top of that she was always thinking about those less fortunate than herself. I have wonderful memories of our life together, times spent on holidays in Scotland, Wales, The New Forest and Dorset, Kent, Cornwall, Yorkshire, and The Isle of Wight. Marie loved the beach, especially at Sandbanks, she would be on the beach as early as possible, go for a walk along the beach, leaving her footprints in the sand behind her, then into a deck chair for a while and later go walking along the edge of the sea stepping over the waves as they rolled in. When in Scotland I could not convince her that the sheep on the mountains had different length legs on each side of their body to accommodate which way they walk around the mountains. We spent a lots of time London, when I was working there, Marie would wander around the City during the day and then, in the evenings, we would often go to see musicals or plays in the West End. Phantom of the Opera, and Cats were her favourites, we will hear a song from Cats in a few moments. Often when I got back to the hotel, she would soon be telling me who she had seen that day: Kylie Minogue, Garry Lineker, Gary Rhodes, Bob Monkhouse to name but a few, either at book signings or opening shop departments. None of these of course none of these exceeded the highlight of David Beckham reaching across her so that her head was on his chest when he was signing autographs at Old Trafford. Heard about that for a long time. There was of course a Royal family member she came across here in Bury. Prince William was standing next to the Snack Bar in the hospital, after bringing in a patient in the Air Ambulance. Marie looked up at him and asked, “Are you in the Queue”. He politely replied “No, go ahead.” Dialog between Mother and Daughter went something like this, “That man behind us is Prince William”. “Don’t be so silly Mum, of course it’s not, why would he be here.” Prince William then moved away, and waited for his co-pilot to get his coffee, I guess to avoid anyone else recognising him. Marie was a true Royalist, When the Queen last came to Bury, she was at the front on the Angel Hill about three hours before the Queen was due to arrive. We did come close to getting arrested at Windsor Castle once, but that’s a story for another day. Favourite time of the year? Christmas time was Marie time. It probably started in September and went on well into January. The weeks up to Christmas, she was out buying presents, making sure she had sent cards to all family and friends, and getting ready for the preparation of Christmas Dinner. But before that it was Panto time with all the family. Now, there are Christmas Dinners and then there are Marie Christmas Dinners a distinct difference. Ben and Clive have a word each for something that is outstanding Ben’s “Banging” and Clive “The Business Marie’s dinners were always graded as the Banging Business. How she managed to prepare and serve a hot dinner to sometimes 12 or more no one knows. Always a big banquet, cooked to perfection” roast potatoes – again Banging Business. Then a few hours later food out again, everyone asked “when are all the others coming, that can’t all be for us.” Then came the Irish Coffee, ranked by Clive as the “best in Town.” I think that’s exceeds “the business.” All of this was because of her love for her family. Card games, board games, quizzes, were all good fun for Marie. Sitting in the garden during summer for BBQs and at Wendy’s and Clive’s house for parties. Marie loved the card and board game often played with all the Grandchildren. I asked all the family to give me their thoughts for this tribute today. They have so many nice thoughts I have paraphrased all of them for purpose of this tribute. Full versions can be found on the Tribute web site. I always thought if I could be half the mum to my boys that my mum has been to me then I’d be happy. She taught me so much, she never gave herself enough praise never thought she was good enough, There really are not any words that I can say to express what a beautiful person our Nan was. Inside and out she was full of pure kindness, generosity, happiness and most importantly of all. love. Through everything nothing was ever too much because she never thought anything was too much. On one occasion she wanted to make sure boiled eggs were cooked to perfection and got it right with number six. She put me and my boys before herself Love is what she was made of. Life will never be the same without her beautiful smile to brighten up our day. We spoke or text each other every day for as long as I can remember and I miss that a lot, Every night I would get a text ‘how are you dear and goodnight God Bless’ I would do anything to see that text again and another, always saying ‘hello dear how are you? Love for her children and her grandchildren was unconditional, she would fight for each one of us to the end, she was the backbone to our family Life will never be the same without her beautiful smile to brighten up our day. Everything she did was out of love for her family She held us all together and somehow, we now must do this without her, I feel like I never thanked you enough Mum even taking you for granted at times if I’ve learnt anything it’s to let our loved ones know how much they are loved and appreciated, Never had a nan but I was welcomed into the family and felt then like I had real Nan. I never ever thought I would be saying goodbye to you so soon Mum, the thought of not seeing you walk up my garden path with a bunch of flowers and a dessert in hand. To sit and have a chat about anything and everything we talked so much I remember saying you talk too much mum I will try and remember everything you taught me and be the loving caring mum to my kids you were to me and Clive. I remember one time at Christmas... she burnt her hand quite badly when making custard, her hand went red and swelled up. Despite everybody crowding around her and telling her to stop cooking. she still insisted on serving everyone they’re Christmas crumble! The world needs more people like our nan. From Wendy, Danny, Ben & Faith Ollie & Talia, Clive Mel, Molly Johnny & Harry with all our hearts we thank you for everything you did for us for being the best Mum and Nan. We Love You. Life will never be the same without her beautiful smile to brighten up our day. Loved the card and board games we all played together round the dining table or in summer out in the garden. One thing that keeps the slightest feeling of positivity in me during such a difficult time is knowing that she will be looking down on me. For all of us. When we need guidance. Or just someone to talk to. She will be there. Even if she is not here physically. She is in all our hearts. Mum, Nan, we know you are listening, we love you so much thank you for everything you have done for all of us We love you Nan Marie was one of a kind, as we’ve heard, loved by her family, not just those here in Bury but also her Brothers, Sister-in-Law, Nephews and Nieces in Oxfordshire. She loved coming down to visit, you all, Christmas, New Years, Birthdays, Parties, Theatre, and to have family come stay with us. Loved having Doug down for breaks and for Speedway trips. Marie was a devoted Christian, always had her Bible near to hand, loved the Carols by Candlelight and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. I’m sure that she has a place in Heaven now and is probably organizing the Angels. As was said earlier, Marie left us too soon, and some feel they didn’t ever tell her how much they loved her. Her wishes today would be “Today when you leave here, tell someone dear to you that you love them”