Dear Frances you brought so much joy, love and fun to everyone who met you. It was a great honour to know you and look forward to meeting you again in heaven. You have two lovely amazing children ‘Elaine and Keith’ that you brought up and nurtured and it is lovely to know them both now and in the future. Through you, every day, we will see you in both of them so you are never gone, your spirit forever remains, here always and also to guide them both through life with your wisdom and love. When they ask in their thoughts or out aloud to know the way, they will find the way as your spirit will guide them. Till we all meet again, our arms of love go with you now and in return your arms of love are wrapped around Elaine and brother Keith always. We will meet again.

Love Kevin xx

Frances, each and every time we met you smiled. Your smile was as warm and big as your heart. Smile forever, it is contagious. Love you x

Lorraine Ayley 

I met Frances a few years ago when in spite of her severe back problem which caused her to move with great difficulty she determinedly walked round the green in our neighbourhood! I found her resolve not to give in to the pain and constraints of her physical condition inspirational! We got to chatting and her warmth, friendliness and beautiful smile were captivating. Over the years Hattie, my dog who Frances took great pleasure in seeing and I, would from time to time visit her for a chat, we also met the squirrel who daily tapped at her window for a nut these were small, simple pleasures that together with seeing Elaine and Keith seemed to keep her at peace with the world. Since lockdown our chats were unfortunately much shorter through her sitting room window. Although we knew each other for just a handful of years I was very fond of Frances and miss seeing her in her chair every time I walk past her window. Rest in peace dearest Frances.

Elena

Dearest Frances, the sweetest lady I will ever know. You are so very important to Mum (Jackie) and I, and we will miss you terribly. You were so kind to me as a child and I used to love knowing you were coming round to babysit me – you were wonderful at reading bedtime stories. I always greatly admired how you fought for animal rights, and I’ll always remember how wonderful you were with our two dogs too. You were a very special person, and I don’t think I will meet anyone else in my lifetime who says my name when bumping into each other in the street, quite like you did, with such warmth and glee. I feel very lucky to have known you.

Amy xx

The poem read but not in the programme.

The wound I feel will not depart
Because you occupy my heart
Nor will it heal as I grow old
It has a story to be told
To those I meet along the way
It will cause me good things to say
About the one who brought me here
Who did her best, to feed and cheer
That we would have a better life
Than hers which was not without strife
This wound I’ll cherish, and not try
To stop it causing me to cry
For every time I feel the pain
I will remember her again
Though memory fades the heart holds fast
So you’ll be with me ’til the last.

Keith Lang

Excellent to be at Frances’s moving but also enjoyable ‘send off’ yesterday, with many happy memories of her humour and interest in everything going on in the world, whether serious or silly!

James Digings