I would like to read out an extract from a letter Katie wrote to Mum after she died, as I think it sums up why we are here today. She wrote: “I have so many regrets about not spending enough time with you, I wish Covid never happened because I feel that took away the last few years I had with you. When I last saw you I couldn’t manage to tell you how much you meant to me, but I hope you knew. I so hope you are in a happier place now surrounded by people that you’ve missed and love. I still can’t believe this has happened, it just doesn’t feel real.” So who was mum? Loretta said: “She was a person that got things done in the back ground, a devoted Mother, grandmother and great grandmother, having a cuddle, smile or wave for them right up to the day before she died. She had lots of pictures of all her grandchildren She like to go out just for a drive, see the ponies in the forest, she liked going to stately homes and gardens. She liked collecting things particularly her thimbles and it was a good present to bring her.” But I am getting ahead of myself. Mum would want me to start with some thank yous. Firstly, for everyone coming today. She would have been chuffed by the turnout. Then to Hartwood, whose staff weren’t just carers but also friends. To Sturney’s, and in particular Maria without whose help we wouldn’t have got here today. Lastly to Dan, whose kind words have helped me to grieve. You’re not bad, for an Arsenal Supporter. Mum would be proud that I am speaking about her. I once did a Chemistry demonstration at Parents Evening at School. She thought it was brilliant, though she didn’t understand a word about the Chemistry. But it was brilliant. I think she might have been a little biased. Mum was one of five children, the daughter of a butcher. Trained as a Nursery Nurse, and ended her career in retail. Eerier similar to someone else I know. I asked her once if she had ever ridden motor bike. I was surprised when she replied that before she met dad, she had a boyfriend with whom she road pillion. I wish I has asked more, but was too shocked to think that mum was a Biker Chick! Mum was 14 when World War 2 broke out, she lived in Romford which saw much devastation from the Blitz. The family survived, but only for her mother and two brothers to be taken by illness shortly after the War. This was a major trauma that was to haunt her for much of her life. She and her younger sister Gwen needed to get away. They joined the Union Castle Line, but were put on separate routes. Mum went to South Africa, where she met Dad. Mum must have been a looker, as Diana Dors, the original Blond Bombshell, was one of passenger on Dad’s ship! These days must have had an effect upon us, as Amanda married Steve, a sailor, her Eldest, Emma, worked on Ships. My first proper job was with a shipping line. And Loretta worked for Lloyds Register of Shipping. Tiffany’s partner is South African, and Jamie worked for a South African company, and went there on business! The one upside about her family losses, was it bound the sisters even closer together. Something that Mum wanted for her Children. Her one fear that we would drift apart. Every school holiday, we would spend time with Gwen and her family. The summer usually ended with a trip t the Cinema. Marry Poppins, the film I remembered the most. Gosh, they made a film about my Mum. Christmas was a magic time for us Children. For the Adults, Babycham and games of Newmark. Our first taste of alcohol was sneaking down the next day and drinking the drips left in the bottles! I thought Mum was a good cook her gorgeous roasts, Egg and Bacon Pie, and Drop Scones my favourite. But whenever Richard when he came round he always smothered all his food with tomato ketchup. He later became a Chef, so may be a more critical awareness than I had! Mum always tried to protect us as Children. When the evening news came on she would user us out into the garden for one last play. We would spend the time building barricades, so we wouldn’t have to go to bed! Or having competitions to see who could throw apples over the roof of the house. Those were the days, my friend We thought they’d never end. But we grew up. Amanda got married, I went to University. Leaving Loretta to play Cluedo with mum. Mum had a favourite saying in those days. Gord luv a duck. So I brought her a big yellow rubber duck, which she floated on the garden pond. We were brought up with sayings from ITMA, and readings from When We Were Very Young. Which she later taped herself reading so her grandchildren could listen to them. When Dad died, I worried about Mum being on her own. But she made friends. She always could make friends. Beryl, who trained with her as a Nursery Nurse, was a lifelong friend. She was our favourite, as she always sent Mum clotted Cream at Christmas! There was Gladys at Worcester Park, and Phyllis at Lyndhurst. She had her calligraphy and crafts and enjoyed making Cards to send to people. She loved doing jig-saw puzzles. She loved writing Poems, in the Style of Pam Ayres. She was a favourite of Mum’s. As was The Two Ronnies, Morecombe and Wise, Joyce Grenfell, and Dad’s Army. I was her Silly Boy. Then the dementia came. Amanda use to go round and help Mum to bed. But Mum complained to me she could sleep, as Amanda was in the bed! But she was no longer alone. She had the little children who lived on her armchair, who she fed chocolates to. Then to Hartwood House, and new friends. She started painting again. She used to be very good at drawing. She had an autograph book from when she was young, in which she had drawn some amazing pictures. But Mum would want the last word, so one last poem, before I say Goodnight Mum I’ll see you in the morning. Life by Olive Heasman First we are babies Life stretches ahead Next we are toddlers By our mothers are led Soon it is school time What excitement is there? For some it is happiness For others despair But as we grow older We learn everyday, Our characters moulded The best possible way Then we take our exams And hopefully pass We think we’re grown up Cos we’re earning at last! We meet lots of people And have lots of fun When we suddenly realise There is one special one! Soon the church bells are ringing At last we are wed That’s when we move into our little homestead. The years follow on And everything’s fine When the babies are born To continue the line. And as they grow older We become older too That’s when things are less easy And harder to do When the mind gets forgetful The harder we try The less we remember But can’t understand why So think of us oldies As older we get Show patience and caring And love for us yet. For that is exactly What everyone needs. The love that was shown you Returned like good deeds.

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Olive. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.