"This is going to be difficult. I owe a lot to Mum.
 
Mum/Nan was born in 1933. Her mother died giving birth so she was brought up by her Gran and Grandad.
 
She had stories of WW2 I remember, like the bomb landing in Sandy Lane where they lived and blowing the side door off.
 
Once she left School, she worked in a Dental Surgery but the job she loved was as a Nursery Nurse. She worked in the Orphanage in Woking, making a lifelong friend in Doreen Pullen.
 
In 1957, she married Dad/Arthur and two children arrived. Alan and Catherine. The next few years were as a home maker with the family moving to Colchester ( West Bergholt) in 1969 with Dad's work.
 
We had many happy holidays over the next few years, which we always looked forward to as a family. Memorably  in Devon near Kingsbridge a number of times and also venturing to Spain. France and Switzerland by car where we camped.
 
At this time she worked  at Heathlands Primary school as a catering assistant, with many happy memories  working with Daphne Hall and Eileen Bridges.
 
Once Catherine and I had left home, Dad's influence shaped their combined interest in Golf. She went on to be sigificantly involved in both Manifold and Colchester Golf clubs. When she could no longer play, it was meeting up with the ladies on a regular basis to play Bridge.
 
Holidays still featured strongly in her life . particularly in Portugal and Ireland. Also weekend breaks with friends Derek and Mavis.
 
Once Dad passed away, Mum took pleasure in watching sports on the TV. Favourites like Rory McIllory, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Theo Walcott she would always cheer for.
 
Recently she battled Dementia bravely and was cared for by the loving staff at the Haven Care Home.
 
We will all remember a loving Mother/Nan who was kind, cheerful , prepared to listen and who would never turn down a 'nice cup of tea' "