Mum’s Story…….

To everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven;

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away.

On Thursday 9th April at 12.45pm the burial of Jean Hutchinson will take place at Saltwell Cremetorium in Low Fell, Gateshead. In memory of her, a devoted, loving and caring mother, grandma, great grandma, sister, auntie and friend, we are creating this memorial page so that together we can acknowledge and share both our joy in the gift that her life was to us, and the pain that her passing brings. In sharing the joy and the pain together today, may we lessen the pain and remember more clearly the joy.

Mam reached the ripe old age of 90 when she passed away on Monday, 30th March 2020 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital where she was placed on end of life care. We take great comfort from knowing that the dedicated staff at the QE, Ward 1, who cared for my mum whilst she was in hospital, were by her side when she finally passed away, peacefully. It’s hard to say goodbye and to think that things could have been different for her and her family. Covid 19 unfortunately took her life and coupled with self-isolation rules, made it impossible for her family to be with her throughout. While we know that she is at peace and that her struggles are at an end, there is pain and sadness. But even though she is gone, she has left the legacy of her love, laughter and anybody who knew mam well, would know she loved a good old laugh. The ways she touched our lives will remain, and I ask you to keep those memories alive by sharing them with us and with one another.

Mam was a devoted mother and wife to Gordon. Her life changed dramatically after the death of our dad at the age of 51, who she loved so dearly. They enjoyed holidays to Cornwall spending time with my Auntie and regular trips to Blackpool visiting relatives Jenny and Ernie.

When both Jenny and mam became widowed they became inseparable, spending time shopping on Highfield Road in Blackpool. She also discovered travelling abroad and shared many holidays with her friends from Tesco and ballroom dancing with her friends at the British Legion in Birtley. One of her dearest friends who was also widowed was Betty Cable. I can remember whilst still living with mam she would regularly visit Betty at her house and they would spend many nights knitting and crocheting, not to mention a few night caps on the Peach Schnapps !!!

In 2016 when mam was diagnosed with the early onset of Dementia we made the hard decision to place my mam in a care home, Eighton Lodge, where she was to spend the latter part of her life. She went on to make a very special friend in the home called Violet, where they spent their days playing board games, bingo, frustration, snakes and ladders and keeping the carers on their toes. It was a beautiful home and the carers did a great job of caring for my mam and making it her home.

Mam reached a major birthday milestone last year, her 90th Birthday and we celebrated this on the 23rd November. We were able to give her a great party at Eslington Villa’s in Low Fell where all her closest family and friends were present. Debra, mam’s niece made a beautiful 90th Birthday cake and helped decorate the room. She looked the perfect birthday girl wearing her tiara and sash. I was able to capture on a picture board photographs and she was able to look back on her life from her early days through to present. I’m so pleased we were able to celebrate this special day with her.

Finally, knowing how much her family meant to her, a wonderful lesson she gave me was to keep that which is most important close to your heart, love and care and to let them know in all the ways you can show them.

The love she showed to all of us will live on and be with us even when she has gone.