Looking down from this vantage point I feel very humbled seeing so many familiar faces and, on behalf of our family, may I thank you for joining us. Your presence honours us and the memory of our beloved mother, Jenny.

Today is already a special day for our family for it was this day, 22 years ago, that many of us came together in this very church to give thanks for the life of our father, Michael, or “Mike” as he was known to many. Today’s service now makes this day doubly special and memorable.

Just to fill-in some blanks for those of you that didn’t know, Jenny was born, Jennifer Mary, to Denver and Rita Williamson in Kineton, Warwickshire on Thursday the 3rd of November, 1938. She was Denver and Rita’s second daughter after Gill and, with the arrival of Ray, became one of three children. Despite the onset of war the following year, she had a happy childhood and met the love of her life and her eventual husband, Michael, soon after her 18th birthday. After a prolonged engagement due to Michael’s National Service call-up and Jenny’s teacher training commitments, they eventually married in the church at Hampton Lucy on Saturday the 15th of December, 1962. Four years later in 1966, I was born followed by Jane in 1968, Lucy in 1970 and finally, Peter in 1972. In the spring of 1970, and with only a few weeks until Lucy was due to be born, we moved to Old Acres in Peppering Eye – half-way between Battle and Catsfield - where Mum remained until 2007 before finally moving to Lower Lake.

As some of you may be aware, mother passed-away while on the return leg of a trip to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and, despite the obvious shock of her unexpected passing, our family took great comfort from knowing that she was not alone and was doing something that she loved. We also took solace from the fact that mother had had the opportunity to meet-up with our sister, Lucy, just a few days before in Thailand.

The circumstances of mother’s passing were further eased by Sue’s selfless friendship, devotion and dedication so thank you Sue, from the bottom of all our hearts.

It is no secret that travel was one of Mother’s life-long passions and together with Sue and a number of other close friends she indulged her ‘wanderlust’ travelling to more than 44 countries in 5 continents. Some countries were so enjoyed or had such a special calling that she visited them on more than one occasion and, the eagle-eyed among you may have already spotted our best endeavours to record all her travel exploits on the reverse of our Order of Service. Apologies for any omissions but she really DID like to travel! In fact she loved to say that as a parent you give your children roots but you also give them wings to fly and she was always happiest spending time with her family whether they were living in Germany, New Zealand, Qatar, Hong Kong or just around the corner.

Like so many of you, the opportunity to support a good cause or lend a sympathetic ear seldom passed mother-by and, over the years many people, organisations and charitable events benefitted from a cake (or two), a willing pair of hands or just the chance to chat over a cup of tea. This was never more true than when father joined 'Round Table' and mother 'Ladies Circle' forging many enduring friendships in the process.

The other thing that our mother loved (notwithstanding her family and friends) was her dogs. Since the mid '80s our parents 'acquired' a succession of four-legged friends in need of stable & loving homes. The doggy role of honour reads:

- Ben
- Lundy
- Flora
- Prez
- George (lovely George!)
- and she was survived by the dachshund, Louis!

Louis is now residing in his new forever home with my sister, Jane, and her family in south-east London.

I am pleased to announce that should you wish to see him again or make his acquaintance for the first time, Louis will be making a very special doggy guest appearance afterwards in the Battle Memorial Hall! Everyone is welcome although I’m afraid that paw-prints and selfies will be extra!

Talking of dogs reminds me of something that I read recently and that struck a real chord with me as I hope it will with you too:

The parents of 6-year-old Shane were worried that, following the passing of the family's much-loved family dog and a close relative in very quick succession, Shane might not fully understand or be able to deal with the losses. However, Shane, with all the innocence, eloquence and wisdom that only a child can muster, one day announced to his parents as they were sitting together wondering aloud how sad it is that animals lives are shorter than humans,”I know why”, he piped-up. “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life, like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The 6 year old continued, ”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long!”

Our mother, Jennifer Mary, was many things to many people including a sister to Gill and Ray, a wife to Michael, a mother to Andrew, Jane, Lucy and Peter, a grandmother to Rory, Callum, Evie, Freddie, Tanyaradzwa, Haden and Isaac and a friend and confidante to many more. She was always strong-minded, steadfast, dependable and the glue that held us (and many others) together.

May God bless you, mother, for being our moral compass, and may God bless everyone else who shared your journey through life.

In honour of a life well lived, we are the legacy you leave behind.