To some; our mum was a bit like Marmite, but to those who really knew and loved her, she was kind, loyal, thoughtful and generous. I don’t mean cash generous as such, although she would give you her last pound coin if you were in greater need! I mean generous with her time. 
 
There was nothing she wouldn’t do for you, Painter and Decorator Extraordinaire, veterinary nurse, child-minder and home help, the list was endless. When I fractured my foot at the end of last year…She was there! There to do my grocery shop, help me down the stairs, make my lunch and anything else she could find to keep herself occupied!
 
She was a magnet for Waifs and Strays and on the days leading up to her death she was busy baking apple crumbles to give to those she knew in Paignton. Her loyalty was boundless and boy could she hold a grudge.
 
Dianna Louise Hurst, our Mum, was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 19thSeptember 1950, the eldest daughter to Herb & Isabella and a big sister to her 7 siblings.
 
Her elder brother, Brian, passed away during mums teenage years and she found herself thrust into the role of matriarch, a role she never really shook off. 
 
I used to moan at her saying she was always interfering which was just my way of saying “Just stop worrying about everyone think about yourself for a change and take a chill pill” Mums chill pill of choice was a white wine spritzer, which changed to cider in recent years!

 
Mum had several loves in her life, Cliff, our dad, her children Donna, Stacy and Calvin, her grandchildren Lauren, Ethan, Isabella, Caleb & Aela. And then, there was Cliff Richard, take a break magazine, Patrick Swayze, John Wayne, Lattes and her faithful companion after dad passed away…..Ralph, the miniature poodle.
 
Our fondest childhood memories are those of our Sunday picnics down Stocking Pool, Roast Chicken, Roast Potatoes, 2 Dogs and a pushchair which my brother was often vacated from to make room for the food because  my mum never believed in small portions.
 
She made the best Yorkshire puddings in the South West and most likely the UK and often joked that it was why Dad had married her! To which he agreed.
 
I will always remember the look on her face when she opened her Christmas gift in December 2012 to find 2 tickets to a Cliff Richard concert. She really did look like the cat that got the cream whilst she shrieked with delight like some teenage groupie. And to this day the program and the ticket are framed and take pride of place in her bedroom.
 
She leaves behind three devastated children who didn’t get the chance to say goodbye but who knowingly believe she did her very best with the cards she was dealt. 
 
Our memories will live on and we will take good care of each other, just as she would have wanted. And she will be forever in our hearts! ❤️