Back As a family we want to thank all of you for being here today to celebrate our mum. Mum was born Poppy Edwina Styles on 27th October 1929 to the very proud parents Alexander and Phyllis Styles in Chiseldon. She was the only child and was very much loved. On the 23rd May 1953 she married our Father Stanley Mark Court at the “Church of the Holy Cross” Chiseldon. In November 1953 she gave birth to Timothy at her mother-in laws house in Chiseldon and then moved to 46 Coronation Road Wroughton where she spent the rest of her life. In February 1955 Mum gave birth to Benjamin and then in July 1956 she got her wishes of a girl when Elizabeth was born making a family unit of five. We always knew what an amazing, generous and kind woman she was, and this last week, the outpouring of love and support has proven this to be true. Hundreds, (and that is not an exaggeration), of emails, texts, calls and messages have come to us from all over the world.We want you all to know that we read all of your emails and postings to her. We don’t know if she could hear us but if she could, we know that she would have been humbled at this outpouring. She was never one to put herself before others and knowing that all of these people, some who don’t even know her, were out there praying and thinking of her would have moved her to tears.We honestly do not know how we can adequately describe our mum with words. She lived her life in the most positive way. She saw the good in everything and encouraged others to do the same. Her actions and the incredible example that she showed us, her grandchildren and great grandchildren are behaviours that we should all emulate. She was a true role model. A person who possessed qualities we should all try to imitate.Our mother cared deeply for everyone she knew, whether you were her family, friend or a member of the community or even the pets she cared for, especially Bonnie, Sally and Jennie. She was always willing to help out someone in need. She had the kindest heart of anyone we knew. Her house was always filled with friends and family, even at Christmas she would make sure no one was alone in the hospital she worked in at Burdrop, she would bring patients home to our house to share in the festivities. Mum always treated us all the same even if that meant pulling out the spatula or wooden spoon when we misbehaved.She was a person so filled with light. Everyone knew her. Everyone loved her. She was like an institution in Wroughton in her early years helping out with numerous births at home; although not a midwife they would still come and get Poppy to lend a hand and a few towels.She was a generous, loving, supportive and unselfish woman who always put other people before herself. She was charitable, giving, considerate and kind. She was always involved in something. The Cubs, Boy Scouts, bell ringing, Women’s Institute the list could go on and on.Mum & Dad loved taking vacations in the West Country, when we were growing up we spent many a day running around Brean Down sands, then later in their lives they had a caravan at Weston Super Mare were they relaxed with their dog and occasionally their grandchildren.We have modelled our own life around this. We know that we are the persons that we are today because of her influence.She adored her grandchildren, Paul, Nathan, Tristan, Emma, Anna, Amanda and Sebastian and her Great Grandchildren Steven, Amber, Luke, Ella, Madison, Benjamin, Penelope, Thomas and Rory and we know that as she started getting ill, one of the reasons she fought so hard was for them. She saw them all of the time and each one of them had a special bond and connection with her.We will miss her with all of our hearts and will always cherish the times we spent together. She was always there when we needed her and was the most loving and caring wife, mother-in-law, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was selfless and always put others ahead of her. She never wanted people to go out of their way for her. Yet, she did it all of the time for others.She has touched the lives of so many people and even though she is gone, her memory will live on in all of our hearts forever. Her spirit has not left us. Everyone who was ever touched by her in his or her lifetime should have faith that she will be watching over them because that is just the kind of person she was.She has left reminders of herself everywhere: The stories she would tell us about when she was courting, the love and affection she had for her mum and dad, the songs she would sing to us when we were not expecting them (rugby songs).Our mum was a remarkable woman and I doubt she ever realized how many, many people she has had an impact on in her lifetime. Cherish the memories you have of her and honour her memory by doing good things for others. This is how she lived her life and there is no better way of honouring her than by following her example. Her love for all of us, all of you, is what is going to pull us all through this. All of the many, many people that whose lives have been touched by her should take comfort in knowing that right now, she is standing at the gates of heaven, breathing in huge breaths of air. That is what is getting us through this. Knowing that she can finally breathe on her own. It makes us so happy for her, even though it is so sad for us, so we leave you with a quote from The Wizard of Oz…“A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others”.We thank you for being here today.
I’m free.
Don’t grieve for me now I’m Free
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call.
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another stay,
To laugh, to love, to work, or play,
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I’ve found that peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss’
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow:
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full I’ve savored much,
Good times, good friends, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, he set me free.
This is a tribute Slide Show to Our Mum & DadPoppy and Mark Court