My mum was born in Glasgow and the 3rd eldest in a family of 11 Mum was lucky enough to be born into a strong loving family, ruled with a rod of iron by my little scot gran, who needs friends when you have family she would often say. At the age of 9 mum contracted Rheumatic fever, this would prove to haunt her throughout her life. Times were tough for my gran and granddad back then, but after a long stay in hospital they always made an effort for my mum, even giving her a dolly which she loved but which went down like a lead balloon…. Eh Margaret?? Mum loved all her brother and sisters but Auntie Margaret would prove not only to be mums big sister but her best friend, throughout her life. I know my gran always carried a special place in her heart for my little mum, as did her brothers and sisters, She was quite spoilt and always loved to be the centre of attention, proper drama queen at times!!…. Can’t think where I get it from a mum??!!! My nana breeze chose my mum for my dad after befriending mum at Keele service station, my dad was my mum’s perfect match and was indeed the love of her life, their marriage was a match made in heaven. I recall mum bumping dads car while she was parking it, and trying to convince me that when metal gets to close to metal it causes a bang??!! I couldn’t wait to tell my dad!! Being daddy’s little girl I have great memories of being in a strong loving family, family values were instilled in me by both mum and dad, and my little gran who despite her size really did rule the roost. Mums happiness was cut short when she lost my dad, she was only 31 and had 2 small children to bring up, me and my brother Gary. Mum never got over the loss, but with the love and support of her brothers and sisters, mum grew stronger and worked tirelessly to provide a stable, loving home for both Gary and myself. Mum completely spoilt both of us, always putting herself last. After losing dad, I remember checking on mums breathing throughout the night this would become a nightly occurrence right through mum life. This will surprise you but I wasn’t the easiest of teenagers!! I have memories of both mum and auntie Anna sending me to my uncle Alan’s out of sheer frustration in the hope that he would be able to talk some sense to me and maybe this time id learn, but my lovely uncle Alan never let me down!! Thank you uncle Alan!! My bond with mum grew when I found out I was carrying her 1st grandson McCorley, mum showed me how to give unconditional love, how to put family first and how to consider others before myself. The love I felt for my mum grew and along with it the need I felt to protect her against the world, woe betide anyone who even looked at her wrong much to mums frustration…. Oh Julie I would hear mum say and I know that they are words I will still need to hear from time to time. Mum loved shopping but these for me where a complete nightmare!! Mum being so small I would often lose her in amongst the rails and spend most of my time searching but mum always managed to find a bargain!! Last year mum and I decided to take the boys camping in France!! That’s where mum and I discovered how a vodka and coke can make every thing look lovely!! Sorry paul but, mum and I spent many happy hours under the stars with a vodie and coke… She also loved Christmas and made Christmas really special for both me and the boys.. sorry mum but got to share this with everyone last Christmas mum decided she was taking care of the Christmas dinner, so she decided that she was going to cook this huge turkey over night and in the morning we would wake up to a lovely smell of roast turkey… we woke no smell of Christmas turkey, mum hadn’t turned the oven on just the oven light!! Needless to say Christmas dinner was a tad late!!! Thanks to mum. These are just a few of my treasured memories. I know that mum was an extremely proud grandma and some of her proudest moments have been with the boys, McCorley and Harrison. Mum gave a huge smile when she saw a picture of McCorley in his uniform when she was in ICU, she couldn’t speak but her face and smile said a thousand words, she was the proudest any grandma could be. Harrison would prove to be grandmas helper… he would push his grandma round shopping without hesitation, however I remember the first occasion that Harrison took his grandma out in the wheelchair!! Her lovely grandson had pushed her at full speed round the local shop, let’s just say grandma had quite an experience that day!! Mum was extremely proud of her grandsons and I know she will still continue to guide them through their lives in her own way. Mum was such a massive part of our lives, even through her illness she showed us compassion and gave us her family the chance to give her back just a little of the unconditional love she had given and shown us through the years. Each of us in our own way experienced the fight for life mum had, and her will to live, mum fought long and hard to stay but I guess the power of being reunited with the man she loved proved to be so strong. I am so very proud to be able to say this lady is my mum!! Im honoured to be her daughter, and my sons are also very proud to have had such a strong lady as their grandma. Mum touched so many lives and and id like to express to you all my warmest thanks for everyone who has come today to show how loved mum was and for being part of mums life, she would of loved so much attention!! Mum loved her family, thoroughly loved her years at Keele and also held her friends she had made here very close, as this is where she called home. Mum made some very special friends through her faith and I cannot express the gratitude I feel for all the support they have shown mum throughout, I would personally like to thank Pastor Paul, for being at my side on mums first operation on what would prove to be a very very long night, also to Jenny and Jeanette for the hours spent at mums bedside when she was in ICU.