My brother Michael paid his tribute to our Mother on the day of her funeral from his viewpoint. He saw more of her having always lived in this area. This is my tribute to my wonderful mother from my point of view.

 

Since my father died my mother appointed Michael as next of kin before either Alan or myself as he had always lived close bye. When I returned home in 1993 I saw no reason to change this status quo.

 

I extend my gratitude to him for the manner in which he carried out the tasks in relation to the funeral and other incidentals and for keeping me informed.

 

My mother was born in 1913 and met my father a widower with a 10-year-old son Alan in London when she worked as a cook in service. They set up their first home in Colindale only a few yards from where I live now.

 

For 67 years my mother has lived at 48 Hilary Gardens. She never set foot out of the UK and to my knowledge the only other country she visited was Wales with my family.

 

 I was born when my mother was almost 30 whilst Michael was born 18 months later. Unlike Me Michael has always lived in the area He got married first then my older half brother Alan married Rachel whist   living in Kent.

My first memory of my mother being angry is when I pulled the hosepipe off the kitchen tap and flooded the kitchen.

 

Other incidents among many, when I hurt my self on my bike she showed the care that only a mother can do. When Michael and myself built a cart and sailed down Portland Crescent we both came off and were injured. I remember my mother’s words “Mummy told you not too and I was right”

 

 I never spent much time at home age 10 I went to live in Little Kingshill to be educated at St Christopher’s School for a couple of years before retuning home At the age of 16 my then chosen career took me abroad first in the Merchant Navy followed by a short period at home before enlisting in the RAF. After having left the service of Queen and country I worked in Sussex, The Isle of Wight and lastly Bournemouth. During this time I was in regular contact with both my parents and but for their advice I would have stayed in Australia when the boat I was on arrived in Perth but their love for me convinced me I should not undertake this desire. I returned home for a short stay before the love of Angela took me to Essex in 1966. My Father sadly passed away in February1968. I returned for the funeral with my fiancée’. In 1969 a year later Angela and myself were married. My mother was there to give me support along with brother’s Alan and Michael. The union produced two daughters. My mother came up for both their births at the age of 60 and again at 64. I will always cherish the help she gave us after the birth of Tanya and then Samantha. Despite the distance away that I lived I was still a frequent visitor to number 48 where we were always welcome either alone because of my job taking me there or with the family.

 

I remember two incidents on one of the vacations my ex wife Angela and myself spent when mother came too. We were driving through Wales and passing over a rather narrow bridge. Mum was using a knife in the back of the car peeling an apple when I had to swerve to avoid an oncoming truck. The knife came forward missing me by inches.

Later staying in Llandudno we went swimming and as the tide came in fast Angela panicked being unable to swim mum led her to safety. Twice on that holiday two lives were spared.

 

 Following my divorce in 1990 and then the demise of my publishing company in 1993 mum asked me to return to live with her despite being in her 80^th year she was happy to have me near bye. I was only living with her for a couple of months and in that time I met Roma and found a place to live locally. Every Wednesday or Thursday Mum would cook me a lovely dinner as only she could do. After her first stroke I still visited her but missed her wonderful cooking.

 

Throughout this period of change in my circumstances she was there to support me as only a loving Mother can do. She was happy that I had met Roma and looked upon on her as a daughter and she loved her as her second mother. When I was working she would often visit her and take her shopping. On one occasion she took her to Edgware and she fancied southern fried chicken and she remarked it was the best she had ever had.

 

In 1996 I took my mother on holiday with my eldest daughter Tanya 

and her unborn child Jordan along with Roma. We went to The Lake District. She had recently undergone a hip replacement so we hired a buggy for her convenience but would often be pushing it herself rather than Roma or I pushing her. It was the first and last time I was to take her on holiday.

 

Always on mothering Sunday I took her out for a meal. The last time to Elstree aerodrome in 2007. Where she looked the picture of health despite the problems she had with her feet. Every Christmas either on Christmas day or boxing with one exception when she was too ill she enjoyed the season with us at Roma’s home.

 

There were very few Sunday’s when I did not bring her to church here at KBC where she had been a regular worshipper for 67 years

 

The year 2000 was a sad year as she lost her sister Connie a strong Christian woman, as was my Grandmother who passed away a few years earlier.

 

I took my mother to her Great Nephew Ian’s to marriage to Vanessa. .

 

I never did hear an argument between my parents and I know that she loved my father very much. Now she is with my father at rest after 94 years on this earth 39 years as a single mother. She brought us up well. Always there to give us LTC. Many others in this church too will miss this lady of many talents and the contributions she made to the church family with 67 years of worshipping at KBC. Many will still admire her when in her late 70’s to early 80’s coming to church on her motorbike whatever the weather. Then being convinced to give up the bike the kindness of her neighbours Bob and Gill loaned her an electric buggy, which she was able to use on the many trips to the shops to visit friends and to the Senior citizens clubs at the various churches she went to.

 

She had many friends and neighbours outside of the church and one cannot discount Bob the good neighbour 2 doors away whom she treated as another Son always willing to help her out with urgent tasks that in her later years was unable to undertake. Joyce and Les, good neighbours also whom she had known for over 40 years. Rose a good friend though living further afield was a regular visitor who would stay over night once a week. Peter and Keith who for 8 years lived at 48 as lodgers and remained friends even unto her death. Lynne Cathy still kept in touch despite moving away. A good friend to Phyllis just a year younger and many others that forgive me I cannot bring to memory at this time.

 

Many friends and relatives attended her 90th birthday at the Hilton in Watford. It was a big surprise to her that left her speechless.

 

Dot as she was fondly called by all those who knew her was also a hard worker and never shunned the responsibilities of a perfect mother. A wonderful cook and many will testify to the magnificent cakes that she made. Her house was always spotless. She loved her garden that was always filled with a variety of flowers and would spend time at garden centres making a selection that suited her best.  Nothing was ever too much for her. She loved the many dogs that she had from Jock the mongrel whilst my brother Michael and I were still at school to Gabbie the Jack Russell being her last canine companion for over 19 years.

 

She was the last of the siblings of 3 to pass over having outlived an older brother and younger sister and our half brother Alan who died in May last year.

 

A regular worshipper here at KBC where both my younger brother and myself attended Sunday school in the life boys and the Boys brigade. A strong Christian family with my grandmother a stronger Christian than even I could hope to be as was my mother’s sister who passed away in 2000.

 

The past 14 years is the longest time I have spent in the area and the time she most needed me. She would often phone me and ask me to get something from the shop or carry out a small chore in the house or garden. I took her to see several of her friends far and wide and on surprise trips in the country and to the seaside.

 

There is much more I could say but if I were to say all that occurred in the time I was her son it would take me several years to complete, so this has just been a glimpse of my life with Mother

 

This is my tribute to my wonderful Mother Doris Mable Burcombe (nee) Portway born 15^th January 1913 and died on the 17^th of May 2007 now with our Lord and her many friends and family that went before her.