Us in happier times .Dot is on the right ,Joyce another sister in law on the left
I know you have seen this one before ,but we always had so much fun in each others company
And it looks as though Dot and Stan are enjoying themselves in this picture too.
And in this one taken at Stan's 80th birthday party last September .
On the 31st of May Maurice took Jean my sister and I to The Heart of England Cramatoriam,in Nuneaton where we joined all the family and friends,
If funerals can be called beautiful ,then this one was.
The Crematorim was packed and people were standing outside outside,a testament to how very much loved Dot was.Dots six son's in law carried her beautiful wicker coffin into the Crem' .Dots eldest Granddaughter did a reading ,and after the prayers, hymns and the eulogy,The service ended but the curtains didn't close so we could all file by and say our own goodbyes ...The girls had asked me could Dot rest her head on the cushion I had made for her ,of course I was honoured and not a little moved by that request , and of course I agreed
Dot's eldest Daughter Julie asked me, if at her wake, I'd like to speak about her Mum .So as I close this very sad and poignant entry{It just had to be recorded though }I will leave you with the words I spoke for Dot ..
I first met
Dorothy ,when I was 16 ,when I was courting her late Brother Mick , and when I
got married to Mick she came with Julie to our wedding, Stan staying at home to
look after the babies . Mick and I lived next door to Mum and Dad ,so it was
exciting when Nana Roffe would get a letter to let us know Stan was bringing
Dorothy and the children to visit ,often the visit was to introduce us to
another little blonde haired baby girl ,until we got the red haired one and a
boy at last ,I saw all those dear children grow up to be the super Adults, that
Dot and Stan became so proud of .and as each one had their own family’s Dot
would tell me all about her Grandchildren and then Great Grandchildren ,Dot
loved each and every one, and each one was so special to her.. Dot realised too that she has an
amazing bunch of son’s in law,and you guys did her proud today
….Dorothy’s sisters Connie in
Peterborough and Eileen in Canada ,are like me going to miss those telephone
calls. Her Brothers Peter Vic and Dougie will miss her too.as will their
familys,I know my family are heartbroken to lose their dear Aunty Dot. Kate
feels so blessed to have spent that last week, in Barwell at Stella’s ,she was
able to spend lots of time with her Auntie Dot ,they had some quality time
together ,and on the Sunday, Stan cooked lunch for them ,they washed up and
laughed and chatted together
When my
children were small Stan would fetch me and my little ones to stay with them,
they were our holidays. And it was then I was told don’t call me Dorothy …..and we were always made welcome quite
where we all fitted in I’m not sure but we did…. obviously things were often
tight but there was always lots to eat and endless love,I remember a whole box
of cornflakes would disappear at breakfast time .and their children would come and stay
with us ….at Thornhaugh and Wansford and were a joy to have, always so well behaved and eager to
help me with my little ones ,Although one little girl who shall remain
nameless… well it was Julie informed me she mustn’t be put to bed with wet hair
because she would get a headache …
Dot we
shared so much, over the years ,love ,laughter ,tears and fears, secrets ,
gossip,books ,knitting patterns, and shoes ,and once when Nana Roffe bought new
fitted carpet, she couldn’t decide who should have her lovely big red carpet
…so she cut it in half bound the edge
,and we had half each ,It is these memory s and many more that are going to
help me cope without you…. Dot always greeted me with a big hug and the words
‘I love you, you old bugger ‘ ..Dot I love you too mate,Im gonna miss you so much.....
