PatriciaBELLOur darling mum, wife, grandmother, sister, and friend has flown from her pain.
She left just as Spring, her favourite season started - as the sun began to shine again, the trees showed their green, the flowers blossomed, and the birds sang.
She was a woman of many talents.
A keen gardener who could make anything grow- herbs, flowers, fruit, vegetables and trees.
She played many instruments, her greatest being her voice - the most difficult thing she lost in recent months.
She was a fine cook and baker, both experimental and traditional.
She was a memorable teacher of hundreds of children over her nearly 40-year career at Castle Hill (Croydon) and St. James the Great (Thonton Heath).
On retirement in 2004 she moved with her husband John to Dinan in Brittany, France.
She was bilingual - improving, developing and absorbing the French language and culture that she loved.
In France she became a beekeeper, volunteered with the hospital library service, taught conversational English, sang with and often led the local choir.
She was creative, kind, gentle, patient, sweet, generous, and had a sparkle in her bright blue eyes that was unmatched. And yet, so modest and unknowingly loved by everyone around her.
20 years ago, she overcame acute leukaemia - we almost lost her then, but she fought hard, and with the incredible French medical system, she won, and we were lucky enough to keep hold of her.
The diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease was a shock to us all and the over the last 2 years it's cruelty forced her to battle bravely again. It stole from her body but never her mind nor the twinkle in her eyes.
She leaves her husband, 3 children and 5 grandchildren with memories of a rich and full life.
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