Behind every cloud, a sun shines bright. That was the quote mom had as her whatsapp status. Mom, like most had many clouds to overcome in her life, but was a bright, shining sun to those around her. What made mom special was her ability to laugh, even in the most difficult of times. She didnt take herself too seriously, and brought a sense of fun, silliness and a big toothy grin everywhere she went. Mom had many quirks; her daft dances, funny faces and little sayings. Like when somthing was on the tip of her tongue, " she said, can you pass me the Doobrifirkin bab". She was always completely herself.

We chose "morning has broken" as the hymn in the service as she used to sing it operatically at the top of her lungs when she was pottering about. She told us that a client she cared for in her most recent job suggested she could have been an opera singer if she'd have been trained and I have no doubt that she could have been, she was extremely loud. Music was a love of moms, she had an eclectic taste including; Marvin Gaye, Barry White, the Gypsy Kings, Richard Hawley, Chris Rea and Jack Savoretti. She went to lots of live music concerts and events and even put on live bands in our back garden for jo's 18th birthday, with the patio as the stage and the shed converted into a pub.

Growing up she'd think of creative ways to entertain us. Making salt dough animals and models to paint was one of our favorite things to do. She also took us to gymnastics, swimming lessons, brownies, dancing, the library and summer clubs when we were younger, and to the pub when we were old enough. 

After mom and dad separated it was just the three of us most of the time, and having three independent, strong minded women in the same house, it wasn't always plain sailing, infact it was like clash of the titans a lot of the time: however, we always felt like we were at home when the three of us got together. It was actually mom who 'flew the nest' in our early twenties. She moved onto a narrow boat at the waterfront. She had never driven a narrowboat before and so she roped in our auntie Christine and uncle Darren to drive it in its only ever journey from where she bought it to where she moored. As we grew older our relationship grew stronger. Our favorite things to do together would be shopping, visiting garden centres, coffee shops, pop up craft and farmers markets and walks with the dogs.

Mom would always be popping over and pottering around the house taking it upon herself to clean and sort out my plants. She'd be lecturing me now on what to get sorted in the garden. Her little red car would pull up outside with the specific sound of her handbreak setting the dogs off who were always excited to see her. She was mine and Alex's third wheel for many years, joining us on our days out and supporting us so much when Phoebe came into the world. We will all miss her presence so much.

Mom got on very well with our partners who she thought the world of and they thought the world of her too. Alex and Nick would wind her up and she would always take the bait, before laughing hysterically. We have great memories of the five of us going on holiday together. We all went to Albufiera one year and every day when deciding what to do, she would suggest the "old town". So much so that anywhere any of us went with an "old town" we would send her a picture to make fun. 

She LOVED going on holiday, and travelling is something she has enjoyed her whole life. She liked being around the ocean, trees and natural beauty. She regularly went camping with her friends, and on trips to wales where she particularly liked the mddwych trail. Mom forged strong friendships all through her life, she had a knack for bringing people together and it's clear how much joy she brought to her friends, as we've had many reach out to us to offer support and share fun filled memories they have of her.

Mom was the first to confess that she had a childlike sense of humour, often sticking her tongue out in some kind of silly facial expression, bursting out in cackling laughter to herself whilst me and harri looked at her with bemused smiles. This is what made her such a brilliant Nanny Sue to our baby girls. She would sing to them made up songs such as the bibity bobity boo song, and would always capture Phoebes imagination in creative ways that no one else would think of. She said that Phoebe was her best mate and she loved her grand-daughters so much, referring to them as the three amigos. We are so thankful for the time that she spent with them. 

Anyone who knew our mom knows that she would stop to have a conversation with anyone and everyone as though she had known them for years. She would make friends whatever she did, which we've always admired. She was very outgoing and loved socializing. In her early life this would be at pubs and nightclubs around Birmingham. Auntie Christine, her younger sister has memories of her going out on Friday night after work and not coming home until Sunday evening. In more recent years she would regularly meet up with friends and neighbour's for a coffee, a chat or a walk in the park. She was also very creative minded and always had multiple craft projects on the go.

Theres so much more we could say about Mom, its impossible to fit all of the memories and stories in to such a short space of time to really do her unique character justice.

Mom had no inhibitions and the things that embarrassed us the most when growing up are what we miss the most now she's gone.

So to end with, we have a list of examples of mom being mom that you can ask us more about later;

Quiting her job to work for a greek patisserie after meeting the owner in a pub (she lasted 2 weeks)

Asking "was he wearing any shoes?" When her friend  told her she'd just met a nude man on the beach

Deciding to punch the window through after being locked out and our dad failing to get through the catflap

Piercing her eyebrow in her 40s

Coy carp for dinner

Becoming a buddhist

Pandemic pie offerings

Getting high on a police trip to Amsterdam

Tablecloth Kylie Minogue impressions

Dancing in the pouring rain with her neighbour

Sewing a pair of pants into her mother of the bride dress

Offering to look after a b&b, roping in harri to cook the guests breakfast

Leaving chewing gum in unlikely places

Finally, she bought us a wooden chopping board each for Christmas a few years ago, telling us they were somthing to remember her by. We thought this was hilarious as it was so random but it was so true to moms character. She'd be pleased to know that we're remembering her every time we slice some bread or chop some veg.

I'm sure each of you will have many of your own funny and warm memories of our mom. If you knew her well then you'll know that theres one thing she would likely have said today, with us all being here without her;

'ya bastards, the lot of ya'