Below is a transcript of Hopes funeral service. We were lucky enough to have 20 people at the Crem. This was an unexpected bonus, during the Covid Pandemic, allowing those that Hope had wanted to carry her in to do so.

Entrance Music;  Coney Island - A song dedicated to Hope by Lloyd (to hear this track go to the music gallery, within the "Visit the Galleries" tab)

Lloyd

Had we not been restricted in number of attendees, Hope had wanted me to talk about where she was born, where she'd worked & lived, and what were the key points of her life. Not for any form of self promotion, but she felt that at funerals, where such a life story was provided, she always felt that she knew the person better and made it more personal to those who'd died. That was Hope all over - wanting to know the person better, the real person, and she was so good at getting to that. 

Now, for those of us here today, I have no need to do that, tho our memories will be different of course.

We all mostly know what she's done, where she's been & what was important to her. We know this because despite being somewhat of a private person, her love for and of other people shone through.

The number and personal nature of the messages of condolence we have received, show emphatically that a relationship with Hope was one to be treasured and valued, however infrequent the contact.

I'd like to pay tribute to all family & friends for the love & support shared with Hope over the years, and with particular thanks to staff at the Christie, who in addition to all the science and treatment, delivered care to Hope with compassion, honesty & dedication.

Now, clearly, her most important relationship was with me.......

BUT 

Of course, her greatest joy and thankfulness is reserved for Grace & Joe.

Everything she has done since they were born was to develop and maintain a great mothers relationship with them both, and she achieved and built that to her very end.

Then, the unbridled love and wonder as Matilda Mary, Martha May & then Margot Hope arrived safe & well into the loving home of Grace & Tom. They continued to enrapture her heart again til her very end.

So, in conclusion & before I hand over to Gracie, it is the case that ONE thing has changed, yet nothing is the same, our memories will be slightly different, but what will be the same is our love for this most beautiful human who has left her mark on me, on us her family here, family who couldn't be here, and so many others. 

Grace 

Mum did ask me when she was alive if I would say something at her Funeral, at the time I was unsure and I decided only very recently that I would like to say something, after all you only get one mum. 

So I had a little think and I looked through things I had said and sent to mum over the years and I came across this. On 31st December 2017, the start of what would be a New Year and how I wished it would be a good one, I stumbled across this poem and immediately the words felt right. So here it is, for you mum. 

You are the meaning of strength at its highest peak. 
You have courage when the rest of us are weak. 
You inspire me to live for the now. 
And to never give up, 
Because you don’t know how. 
I’ve learned from you why family comes first, 
It’s because when you need them, 
They’re there when you hurt. 
No matter the pain, 
It all hurts the same. 
And family you can count on to always remain. 
When the road gets rocky you seem to take each bump, 
And walk over them smoothly, 
Hump after hump. 
You have no idea about the effect you’ve made, 
And with the lessons I’ve learned my life’s made a change. 
Not just a change, 
But also a growth. 
From an immature child to a woman with HOPE. 

Love you mum, always and forever.

Baby Mine - A song dedicated to Hope, by Grace and Joe (to hear this track go to the music gallery, within the "Visit the Galleries" tab)