Anyone lucky enough to have known mum would describe her as a lovely, warm hearted and positive lady with an infectious can-do attitude. She certainly carried this positivity and bravery right to the very end of her life, living it to the full and savouring every moment. Mum was born in Hampstead; not within the sound of Bow Bells exactly, but within the sound of the roaring lions of London Zoo, which may account for some of her courage! Mum’s childhood was not an easy one as she was in London during the dark days of the Blitz. During the air raids mum and her brother John would be huddled together with their parents in a shelter, hoping that Hitler’s bombs would miss. Even at this young age, mum showed her initiative and kindness. After the air raids had finished, mum and her dear friend Doris Ambrose would go and round up all the local frightened dogs and cats and re unite them with their owners. Mum, brother John and Doris were soon evacuated to Brampton. Mum and John were not welcome at the 1st house they were sent to as a fierce and rather hostile woman slammed the door in their poor faces. This was something mum never forgot. Luckily, they found refuge in the rectory with some lovely folk who took them in. Mum had many happy memories there and kept in contact with these kind people many years after the war. During the war, the Dig For Victory campaign encouraged folk to grow fruit and veg. This continued after the war as rationing and austerity continued. Back in London, mum and John soon got to work helping my grandfather on his allotment, and it was here that mum’s gifted green fingers were brought to life. This love of growing and nurturing were to become a huge part of her future adult life. During mum’s teenage years, she must have had a bit of a wild streak. Her preferred mode of transport was that of a Lamberetta scooter. She has always been a ‘Speedy Gonzalas’, even in her 80s driving her little Yaris. Her trusty scooter stayed with her for a good few years. Mum had a flair for finance and she soon found gainful employment with Harringay Council. By sheer coincidence, I worked there some 25 years later under the same boss! Mum’s next career move was to British Lead Mills to manage their books, and it was here that she met my dad, Jim Crooks. They went on dates together on the scooter with dad riding pillion, hanging on for dear life in all weathers, unaware of the stroke of good fortune that was about to fall. In 1958 a lucky win on the pools enabled them to put down a deposit on their bungalow in Cuffley. They chose the bungalow mainly for its garden which mum and dad transformed to the colourful and bountiful space that remains today. The Lamberetta scooter was replaced with a 3 wheeler car, Grandma’s boiler was replaced with a new one and they even managed to go on a cruise holiday in the Med. Mum and dad were great ‘joiners in’ and immersed themselves fully in Cuffley life. They joined the tennis club, the local ramblers, the badminton Club, the bowls club, and the horticultural society to name but a few. Many great friends were made, some happily here today. I was born in 1964 and was blessed by a happy childhood. I have inherited their love of the outdoors, nature and growing things having had the best and most expert training, love and encouragement, and yes, I too have an allotment! One of the best things about mum was that we did so many creative things together. She had so much energy and enthusiasm, not mention technical know how. We had a lot of fun and I learnt so much from her. Create a garden , build a fence, create art work. She could do it! I think I must have walked hundreds of miles with her too. Mum enjoyed having a lovely large and extended family that would meet regularly and with whom she would share many special occasions. Mum loved to entertain as among her many talents, she was a fabulous cook. I remember the many happy Christmases spent playing games and being silly with the family both at Canvey Island and at home. Happy days! There was nothing that would curtail mum’s zest for life. When she fractured both wrists when diving for shot on the badminton court in her sixties, she still managed to go hiking, though later replaced badminton for table tennis. A later heart operation did not stop her from walking 8 miles on the Boxing Day, a few months after. Mum also liked to travel in her later years. She traveled the world on trains, including the Orient Express, and on ships, barges, gliders, hot air balloons and aeroplanes. She has seen Victoria Falls, been on safari in South Africa and seen giraffes and elephants in the wild. Mum continued her travels during her final 2 years after her cancer diagnosis. This by no means stopped her in any way. Her last trip was in October, when Mossy and I took her away for a few days to the coast to visit gardens and Dover Castle. Each day she was up and rearing to go at 8.30. She loved it! 2 days before she died, Nurse Wendy Freeman from the Isabel Hospice managed to arrange her final request. This was to go home to Cuffley for a final visit to her bungalow and beloved garden . Mum enjoyed every moment of this final visit, even in a rather frail state. Mum expressed that she did not want this day to be one of sadness, but a day of celebration for her life lived to the full!