Gilly I'm so sorry I was unable to say goodbye to you in person.

However I hope what I'm about to say helps and makes you and others realise just how important and how much loved you were to so many people.

I'm one of the few people to have known you ALL your life.
One of my earliest memories is visiting your parents house in Maidenhead and being allowed to see you in your cot and accidentally waking you up.
Instead of crying you gave me a big smile and from that moment I knew we would always be great friends..

During the sixties we four..............you ,me James and Judy became great mates as we grew up together.
James and I really looked forward to seeing you and constantly nagged Mum and Dad to find an excuse to meet up.


We all shared in the drama and tragedy of dear Nana ,Eunice and Milly .................not forgetting Sooty the dog who they struggled to look after.
There were the visits to see Eunice and Milly in hospital which I didnt enjoy and then there was 162 Nelson Road, Whitton
I recall the outside loo with the broken wooden seat, the drawers in the kitchen being stuffed full of Brook Bond Dividend Stamps and your Mum endlessly cleaning the place when she was there.

However we had such great fun too 
I recall staying with you a few times at Marlow during the school holidays ................you introduced me to Beatrix Potter books and the Puffin Club! 
The desire to always share the car with you and Judy if we were meeting up with your Mum and Dad and singing songs with your Dad as we drove along in his old Austin Cambridge.

There were the meet ups on a Sunday at the Long Walk, Windsor..................the many many trips to Bournemouth,not forgetting the meal at the Potters Heron on the way home.
Then there was the farm............... two stays in 1967 & 68  ..............Messy Bessy the pig ......milk drunk straight from the cow ( yuk) and mackerel fishing with your Dad off Seaton.
Even in later years I recall planning a trip with you and friends to Paris around 1980 although sadly it never happened. 

It was about this time that you really blossomed 
Unlike me, you took a great deal of interest in my Mum and Dad.
Mum in particular was very supported by your friendship and interest, becoming the daughter she never had .


In later years you were incredibly kind and encouraging to Jenna providing her with some great work experience opportunities with the BBC.
We also loved you as the perfect hostess, particularly at Christmas,enjoying not only beautifully cooked food, but good company and conversation, all served up at a leisurely and relaxing pace
It was always an absolute pleasure to spend time with you Mark and Marcus...................we had some laughts 


Finally I know that your Mum and Dad would be incredibly proud of all that you achieved in your working life and as both a Mother and proactive and supportive family member to both your sisters and cousins and their children too

Gilly you were always so genuinely kind and thoughtful that it touched everyone.

All these things are ingrained into my DNA and make you one of the most precious people in my life and I will miss you 

But you will always be in my heart

Peter