A Sad Farewell To One Of The WIAA Family

My mum hasn’t featured around here for some time but over the years she has been mentioned on many occasions, first as someone who enjoyed reading my latest blog post when I went to visit her in her retirement flat, and then as someone who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and had to move into a care home. Come Christmastime I always shared some seasonal music for all the generations of my family and my mum invariably got something from the Jim Reeves 12 Songs Of Christmas album. She did like her Jim Reeves.


Sadly, she passed away on Sunday, but thankfully it was quite quick in the end. I’d gone to visit her the day before and realised she was failing, but I was reassured it could take some time. I got a phone call at 6am the following morning to say I should come in to the care home but didn’t quite make it in time. That’s on me, but to be honest I don’t really want to remember her as she was over the last year of her life as it all became a bit grim latterly. I’m not sure who Alzheimer was, but he would have done well to keep his pesky disease to himself.

Looking through photos of her from over the years, I realise I’ve shared quite a few around here, those lovely black and white ones that look so much classier than the high resolution colour shots we now take on our camera phones. I will use some of them for the funeral. I did find something else however from not that long ago, a clip I want to share with you, to give you a sense of the lady. She did like her music, had natural rhythm and loved to dance. Whenever the accordionist came in to the care home she acted as his wingman, getting everyone enthused and choosing the repertoire. I have to smile when I see this.

My mum in better times

As you can imagine I’ve been really busy over the last few days with the admin of death but her funeral service is coming together nicely and I’m quite happy with what we’ve organised so far. I suspected it would be a really small intimate affair but I see the undertaker shared her announcement on his social media page today, as is the custom, and there has been an outpouring of affection for her from all sorts of people I have never heard of – from shopworkers, from cleaners in her flats, from people who met her walking into town and of course from the many care workers in her nursing home. I might have to hire a bigger boat!

I don’t think I can write much more to be honest as I have loads to do and a weekend away to prepare for. Yes, my London trip had been booked for ages and now that we are organised for the funeral in 12 days time, we can allow ourselves some down time. I think I am even going to meet up with some people from my little blogging community whilst in London, which is a bonus, so watch this space.

I shall leave you with some of those black and white photos I mentioned above and one of my mum’s favourite pieces of music, Stranger On The Shore by Acker Bilk.


Stranger On The Shore by Acker Bilk

Until next time, RIP Mum xx

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Author: Alyson

Whenever I hear an old song on the radio, I am immediately transported back to those days. I know I'm not alone here and want to record those memories for myself and for the people in them. 58 years ago the song "Alfie" was written by my favourite songwriting team, Bacharach and David. The opening line to that song was, "What's it all about?" and I'm hoping by writing this blog, I might find the answer to that question.

30 thoughts on “A Sad Farewell To One Of The WIAA Family”

  3. Lovely photos and good to hear about all the messages from people you don’t know. She was clearly held in a lot of affection by many, and rightly so. I’m sure you will give her the great send-off she deserves.

    PS As a fellow Jim Reeves fan I can also vouch for her being a woman with impeccable taste.

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    1. Thanks Ernie. Yes, I’ve been amazed by all the messages from people who had come across her since she came to live here. She treated everyone as equals and chatted to them all which is not always the case.

      Yes, the mellifluous voice of Jim Reeves. Like warm honey.

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    1. Thanks Martin. Indeed, it is a vile disease. At age 90 she was on no medication at all for any physical ailment, but Alzheimer’s can affect anyone, however healthy a life they’ve led.

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  8. Sending love and thoughts to you, and as Ernie says, how lovely to have received messages from all those people your mum knew in better times. The funeral will no doubt be a lovely celebration of her life. The old photos, as ever, are great – I especially like the one of your parents on the left, such an elegant couple. I can see where you get your sense of style from. x

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    1. Thank you – I have been surprised at just how many people knew her and always stopped to chat to her. I’ve now let the people from our village know and they have posted her notice on their local website. Everyone above a certain age knew her as she worked for the doctor in the Health Centre for 31 years. Another outpouring of good wishes from there.

      I’m not sure where you get this idea that I have a sense of style!? My mum was always smarter than me and wouldn’t even put out her bin bag without changing into a pair of good trousers. She always wore a lovely patterned silk scarf to match whatever outfit she was wearing so I’m going to ask people to wear one for the funeral. Will be a nice pop of colour to offset the black clothes.

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  9. Alyson,
    What a nice tribute to your Mum. Condolences to you and your family.
    My reaction to Jim Reeves is identical to yours. My first trip back to Ireland after emigrating as a five year old in 1953 was in 1965. I couldn’t wait to explore all the Irish record stores and soak up the Pirate Radio on the seas. I was somewhat surprised to hear the likes of Jim Reeves everywhere I turned. I had heard him in Canada circa 1960 singing “He’ll Have To Go”. It kwas part of the ‘country’ sound of the late ’50s early ’60s, along with Claude King (Wolverton Mountain), Marty Robbins (El Paso) and Hank Lochlin (Please Help Me I’m Falling). But Canada had ‘moved on’ with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. My cousins took me to a dance in Dublin during that visit and I was surprised to see the Showband performing songs by the likes of Reeves, Tom Jones and the softer sounds of Elvis. Where were the Nashville Teens and the Zombies? It was like the kids couldn’t totally abandon the ‘sounds of their parents’
    My wife and I are just back from a week in London. Sort of a self guided show tour with Bletchley Park thrown in. I highly recommend “Oliver”. A great production! And if you haven’t seen “Abba The Voyage”, it is worth the trip to the Olympic Park.
    Damian

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    1. Thank you Damian.

      As for your trip to Ireland in 1965, I’m afraid it would have been the same if you’d come to my Scottish village. We didn’t experience the Swinging Sixties there and the local TV Services shop, that also stocked records, would only have had Jim Reeves and the like on their shelves. As for the Irish Showband they were (maybe still are) a big deal over there and way after the youngsters were listening to new pop and rock they were still going strong. A lot of Irish musicians cut their teeth with the Showbands.

      Glad you enjoyed your trip to London. As for what I’m off to see… I won’t say yet as I will probably write about it around here, but you could be on the money with one of those suggestions!

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  10. Alyson, I’m sending you & your family my deepest sympathy and lots of hugs from across the pond. You wrote a lovely tribute to your mum. I especially love the brief video of her with the accordion player. Having lost my dad to the same disease three years ago, I understand what you’re going through and how challenging things have been for you. I’m glad the funeral plans are coming together and that you’ll be able to enjoy some time in London. Take care of yourself through this difficult time.
    Rich

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    1. Oh Rich, I know, we were going through a lot of the same things at the same time but can’t believe it’s three years since your dad passed. I’ve written about my mum quite a lot in the 10 years I’ve been blogging whereas you didn’t write about your dad, but then you did write a beautiful tribute for him after the event.

      The plans are pretty much in place and I’m sitting in our London hotel right now looking forward to the weekend ahead. Will do the final bit of organisation next week as I want it to be nice for her.

      Nice to hear from you – we’ve not had a chat for a while!

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  14. Sincere condolences in the loss of your Mum. As Rumi wrote, ‘Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation.’”

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