PreciousMemories

Bev(Daughter)

Mum, Our Mum, Zada, BeBe, Zadie, Ruby – Strong, Loving, Giving, Hardworking, Generous and Always looking for the best for her family.

I’m Bev the 8th child of Mum’s 11 children the first of four born in the UK. As far back as I can remember Mum was always a hard worker, I remember her taking me to Ms Phillis for those of you who remember her. Ms Phillis was my babysitter and then when Lisa came along, she then looked after both of us because Mum had to work to take care of us. I recall the time Mum told me that my brother Carl and Linenette were coming from Jamaica to live with us.... I knew I had other brothers and sisters who lived in Jamaica but when they came and I saw them in the flesh, I said what! I was so shocked. It was so funny because I thought they were like the people on the TV, now they were here for real. Later Dawn was born, at the crack of dawn, in June 1968, and then came Jacqui in November 1969.

Mum worked at Lodgemoor Hospital then at the Royal Infirmary and later at Northern General Hospital for 33 years. Mum worked as an auxiliary nurse now known as a nursing assistant. Mum’s passion was taking care of people both in the hospital as she did with us. I remember mum telling us stories about the patients she looked after and how she took pride in her work. She would talk with them do their hair and make sure they were always clean and comfortable before she finished her duties. She would take care of them the same way she would her own family. Mum loved her job.

Mum had two main ambitions in life; to become a nurse and become a Christian. She achieved the most important one Mum loved God and the Church greatly but due to some of the twists and turns in her life, at first, she said she didn’t feel worthy. So, when she became a mother, she sent her children to Sunday School as a way of compensating.

Eventually later in her life Mum gave her life to the Lord, this was one of her proudest moments - she had finally achieved her most important ambition.

Mum loved all of her children equally and was always big on educational achievement and doing the best you could in all things. Mum came from humble beginnings. Mum was the only girl in her immediate family and she would tell us stories that although they didn’t have much, she was well taken care of by her Mother and Father and 3 brothers Arthur, Oswald and Stainton.

Mum was the belle of the district with her tiny figure and beautiful handmade dresses that would turn the heads of all who saw her. Mum worked really hard to look after her 11 children, but she was also no push over having 8 girls and 3 boys. Mum was a strict disciplinarian. Mum made sure that we were never sent out anywhere, anyway, always turned out to her high and exacting standards. We should always be clean well dressed and have impeccable manners. As mum would say “You have to learn to dance at home first, before you dance abroad”. Even if this meant we were late for everything. It was really hard for Mum not having all her children together with her and this was her greatest regret.

In remembering our Mum, the things, we are going to miss the most are the funny things Mum would say –

“

It’s Me and Jesus, Blessed Jesus.”

“You must put the Best Outside.”

“When them, show you them teeth, it's not laugh they are laughing with you its bite them mean to bite you.”

“When chicken crow, them neck next belong to butcher.”

“Don’t let them come with them Sweet Mouth.”

“You shut up, you too out of Order.”

“I’m not Talking to You”

“If you think God is sleeping you better think again” “It might be long but it won’t be forever”

Over the last 10 years Mum’s health started to decline and we all did our best to take care of you mum; our lives revolved around her.

Mum you were the glue that bound us together as a family and we are all going to miss you more than you know. I will miss calling you and you kissing me on the phone especially since I became sick. Most of all we will miss you standing in the kitchen cooking fried chicken singing on a Saturday, often with your hands held high praising the Lord for how far He has brought you. “God is so Good, He’s so Good to Me.” mum would say. We love you Mum and will miss you so much. Rest in God’s Eternal Peace Mum, until we meet again.

Lisa&RichardGeary

Our Mum she was all about family. She loved her family they meant everything to her. Her children, grandchildren great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren all loved their Nannan. She loved nothing more than to celebrate life with her family all around her.

When I married Richard my husband in 2008 our Wedding in Barbados was one of the best highlights of her life.

Mum and Richard both shared the same month for their birthdays and they were like two peas in a pod as they both loved their food and also a good desert when they were together. Richard truly loved our Mum and was always very attentive to her.

When Mum turned 92 years young this last September, she and the family had the best Zoom party anyone could wish for. Mum was our Queen and Richard and I will miss her dearly every single day.

She is now with the Angels resting from her labours and shining her light down on us all. We love you Mum and we will miss you forever. Mum, Rest in God’s Eternal Peace.

Jacqui(Daughter)

As the last of mum’s 11 children, I am the true wash belly baby of the family. Often referred to as ‘My last baby Jacqui’, by Mum.

Mum was born in 1930, when much of the world suffered under the Great Depression. Mum had me in 1969 the year Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.

Mum was a true superwoman, I watched her raise 11 children, mostly alone, on two continents, on a part-time job, in heels, with a bible and a church hat. Mum taught me that the power I have as one of the many strong, resilient, independent women in this family, that I should strive to do my best in everything I do. Stand up for myself and fight for what’s right, make my voice heard.

She would often tell me never to start a fight but to make sure I finished it the winner. She wanted the best for me and us all. She was my mum, which meant she was not always my friend, but in her own way she showed her love for me and us all. I often called her ‘Yoda’ as she was small, with extraordinary powers which she used to keep all 11 of us in check.

Thank you for loving me even when I could be a real pain in the neck sometimes, only you mum could do that, and see the best in me. I won’t say goodbye to you mum, but ‘See you later’, as I always did. I’ll love you always. Your last ‘wash belly baby’ Jacqui.

Theo(Grandson)

Grandma was such an important person to me in my life. She was the only grandparent I knew and losing her has left me so distraught.

Nannan I want to thank you for your love and hugs and for all the great things you gave to me and I wish you forever peace and tranquillity in heaven.

Jermaine(Grandson)

Nan I can't believe you left without saying goodbye. I know you're blaming me for not coming to visit sooner. Am sorry Nan I didn't think you were ready to leave just yet.

I am going to miss our Conversations on the edge of your bed. You were always a good ear to reason with. I remember the days when you were active and we used to visit. You would disappear into the kitchen and then pop out with a full Sunday dinner no matter what day of the week.

I had to make sure I had an empty belly when coming round yours cause you didn't care if we had eaten you best believe we was gonna eat again.

Nan you were my sunshine and my days are cloudy without you. I know you watching down on us and will continue to support and guide us from the comfort of your new home. Love you always x