Today we farewelled Trev's Mum at her beautiful funeral. It was an amazingly wonderful service full of love.

May our Lord comfort you all. Prayers and love.

My sympathies and prayers for you and yours.

offering my sincere condolences Chris. My dad passed away 6 weeks after liver cancer diagnosis. Very difficult on we that had to watch him fade super quick and so painfilled for him too.

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by pennifold 25 Feb 2017

I'm sorry for you too Vicki. I didn't realise how fast it would take Mum either, liver cancer surely is a quick way and you are correct with the pain factor. Love Chris

I'm sorry for your loss, my prayers and thought are with you and your family. Love, Yoriko

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by pennifold 25 Feb 2017

Thanks Yoriko, it is much appreciated. Love Chris

I can only say God Bless you all Chris. Much love Lillian

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by pennifold 25 Feb 2017

Thanks Miss Lillian, I know He was watching over us on Thursday. Love Chris

It is a tribute to the family that they were close enough that so many came from even far distances. Having strong family ties is a treasure for sure. I am glad that most of the family members were able to linger and share together stories of her life. I do hope that someone will write down some of those stories so that future generations may be able to read over them to get to know Barbara. Though it was sad that Barbara has passed, I am grateful there was also the joy that comes from being able to gather as a family and in remembering stories from across several generations. Those will be the stories that the younger ones will remember. All the stories from throughout the day will hopefully continue to comfort all those who loved and will miss Barbara. Hugs at this time of loss for Trev's family and all those who had loved Barbara, until you all meet again together on the other side of the veil. What a joyous reunion that will be! Pam

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thank you Pam for your words of comfort. It was an amazing day and so memorable. I'm sure all the great grandchildren will remember being there. Not so sure about Delphi at 3 years of age and Cohen only 2 - who ran around in the curtains at the chapel. He was more interested in having fun, which is what Mum used to love. She loved nothing more than watching the kiddies having fun. Love Chris

Have not been on in a couple of days and did not realize you lost her so quickly. I am so sorry. Maybe it is better this way. All my love and prayers for your family. I do care. Kay

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Hi Kay, yes, she went very quickly. Once she was diagnosed with liver cancer, she decided not to have any intervention. We were all happy that she went as quickly as she did and not to live too long with the pain that she was experiencing in the last couple of weeks of her life. Love Chris

Condolences to you all. Lovely pictures to keep and treasure. We also take family photos at family funerals. Sometimes it is sadly the only time we get to see one another. Hugs Shirley

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks Shirley, yes, that's often the way. We are dispersed across our nation too. We had family from Adelaide, South Australia, Townville in Queensland, some from Queenbeyan in NSW and of course our families from Newcastle and of course all the Canberra crew. Love Chris

Dear Chris,
Marcello and I send kind thoughts and sympathy to you and your family.
We hope that time will quickly soften your sorrow and leave you only cherished memories.
Hugs, Roberta

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thankyou Roberta and Marcello, it's been so lovely reading through all the beautiful messages from my Cute friends. Love Chris

My sympathies for your loss. If I remember right you took care of your MIL for a long time. What memories you will have. Aren't families just the best?

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks Terri, no it wasn't me, it was Meganne who looked after her mother in law for ages. Dulcie (Meg's mother in law) is 98 now and still going.

It was a wonderful send off and we were all glad we got to attend her celebration of life. Love Chr

My thoughts and prayers are with you Chris and Trev and family. May Barbara rest in peace knowing her loving family are always around. Such a sad time, but remember the good times you all spent together and treasure these always. Sandra..

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks Sandra, yes, we will always have her in our hearts. It was great reminiscing with Trev's cousins from Adelaide and their memories of their Aunty Barb! Love Chris

"Out of sight , but not out of heart, out of reach, but not out of mind."
She will always have that special place in your hearts. My condolences , it's always hard to say goodbye; but what a beautiful way to say goodbye together. Cherish the lovely memories. Hugs/love Gerry

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks dear Gerry, I'm so happy most of our clan from Newcastle got the opportunity to go down for the funeral. It was a beautiful service too. Mum was not religious and so the service was done by a lovely lady from the funeral home. Many tears, but we are so happy she is in no more pain. Love Chris

Prayers and condolences to you Chris, your dear hubby and your family. Love and respect brings your family together - it is good to share the good thoughts and memories - love to all, Laura

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks Laura, yes, it was great to be almost all together. Love Chris

Chris, it's always hard to say good bye to someone you have loved for many years. But what a testimony to her life! It sounds like it was a true Celebration of her Life. Grieve with tears and laughter. She will always be near and dear in your memories.

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

You hit the nail on the head Karen. It was a testament to her marvellous life and she had a life full of travel, family gatherings and a large extended family. She was a wonderful cook and would always make us our favourite Cornish pasties every time we visited. I'm not sure if you know this or not but anyone with the name of Tre, Pol or Pen is Cornish and comes from Cornwell, England. The phrase goes "By Tre Pol and Pen - Shall ye know all Cornishmen. Love Chris

So glad you had a good family time on a sad day. We were at a funeral yesterday too and very different, I'm sure. He was a farmer, the lay leader of our former little country church and the fire chief for the volunteer fire department. Other fire stations honored him by sending a unit and flags and officers from their stations.

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Oh! I'm sorry for your loss too Betsey. Our firefighters and preachers are surely angels sent from heaven. I'm so glad we had a wonderful day reminiscing about all the things Mum used to do, say, cook etc. Love Chris

My condolences to you Chris, Trevor and all the family. She will be missed, I am sure, by all who loved her, but especially her children. We always wish we could have one more day with them........

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

You are right there Toogie. I remember getting in the car after I saw her on the Australia day weekend in January and burst into tears. Trev asked me what I was crying about and I told him that I knew it would be the last time I saw her alive. Amen! Love Chris

My condolences to all, Chris...so nice that her beloved family could come together to remember all of the wonderful things about her. Beautiful family, beautiful heart...

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks Kim, you know even the Nursing Home mentioned how many visitors Mum always had. It was a testament to how much she was loved. Love Chris

My condolences to you, sweet Chis. What an amazing life and a well loved one, obviously. I hope thoughts of your mum-in-love come to you as sweet memories and you share them with Trevor and her other loved ones.

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks Jerrilyn, we were all speaking about her yesterday at the wake and the things she used to do.

Trev even got me up during his eulogy to demonstrate how, at the age of 16, Mum showed me how to fold Trev's socks! I've done them like she showed me ever since. Love Chris

My condolences to you all dear Chris. So sad to loose a mum. My thoughts are with you and Trevor. Love and hugs Sarah

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks Sarah, it is very sad, but she had a wonderful life. Love Chris

My sympathies again! thoughts Prayers are still coming your way... What a lovely tribute to Trev's mom! Great pictures too.

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks Suzanne, it was a wonderful celebration. Love Chris

My condolences to you, dear Chris, Trev and all the family.
Thanks for the pictures.
Hugs, Lidia

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks Lidia, you are welcome. I forgot to say that the picture was of all the children and partners, the grandchildren, partners and their children and the great-grand children. Dana's 3 children and husband weren't there either. Michael my nephew from Queensland came down with his son, but Vanessa his partner couldn't come. So when you add the whole family up there is 33! Love Chris

The funeral of elderly relatives brings families together and a opportunity to remember the great life that has passed. Well done to Trev and his brother on speaking about their mother as sometimes its not so easy to do so at the funeral. Thanks for sharing Chris

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks Caroline, yes, I know exactly what you mean. I did my Father's eulogy and got to the very last paragraph and Trevor was behind me and touched my shoulder and I said -
"Don't touch me" whilst grinning with a big smile on my face. I knew as soon as he put his hand on my shoulder I would break down. Trev and Craig both did a beautiful job. Love Chris

Oh, Chris I am so sorry to hear this. Thoughts and prayers to you and Trevor. Hugs Lynn

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks Lynn, I am so grateful that I got to see her only a month ago when she was lucid. Love Chris

So soryy for your loss Chris, nice that her Farewell was attended by so many who loved her,
hugs
Michelle

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks dear Michelle. It was a wonderful gathering, that's for sure. Love Chris

Thanks for sharing, my condolences and thoughts go out to you all. Hugs from Maureen in South Africa

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by pennifold 24 Feb 2017

Thanks Maureen, I appreciate all the hugs. Love Chris