Remembering Olive Hill

So, after a little, and as you will see, somewhat justifiable break from blogging to the world or whoever I am back!
The last few weeks since mid July have been a sad time for the family, when Margs Mum suddenly got worse and passed away within a couple of days. She died at home with her family around her, which is what she wanted. The week between her death and the funeral was, for her close family a strange vacuum of time which they were released from through the services of committal and celebration of her life. She was an exceptional person and we will all miss her. The tribute which Jacky wrote and read at the service was particularly poignant and I have included it in this blog as a remembrance.

Tribute to Mum

Today, we as a family would like to celebrate with you the life of Olive Emma Hill, wife, mother, gran and great gran, sister, friend. Whatever she means to you, each of you will have your own memories of her.

She was born between two wars, right here in Langtree, along the road at Thorne House, Olive Emma Daniel, the middle child of five. She was a loving daughter to her parents and her brothers and sisters all tell us how much she took care of them as she grew up. She went to school and Methodist Chapel here in Langtree. She belonged to the Women's Institute and joined the Red Cross during World War Two, at which time she also worked at Hills Garage.

Mum and Dad talk of how much they hated each other at school but in time their love blossomed and they married on June 12th 1946 here at Langtree Chapel. Next year would have been their diamond wedding celebration. We all know of her great devotion to Dad. He was always the only man for her. I arrived nine months after the wedding and Mike, fifteen months later. Marg eventually came five years after that.

After their marriage, Mum and Dad moved around several times, firstly to Stibb Cross, then to Langtree and then on to Milton Damerell, where they spent several happy years. In 1965, the family moved to Tavistock and then in 1972 to Barnstaple, where they eventually found their house in Rolle Street until their final move to Verona Court three years ago.

When we, her children speak together about her, we remember how many sacrifices were made to send us all away to grammar school, how our Christian foundation of faith was encouraged and grew into something that has influenced each of our lives. Every birthday, we did not just receive a present but a carefully chosen card which encouraged us and told us how much we were loved.

Mum was a woman of strong character with a quiet solid faith, she was gentle, compassionate, hard working, intelligent, sensitive and wise, with a wonderful sense of humour locking it all together. She was always an optimistic person who looked for the best in others. She was famous for the most amazing Teddy pasties, trifles and her Christmas puddings were second to none.

Anyone who saw her in her recent illness will also remember how brave she was. I had the great privilege of praying with her over this time. I know what a struggle and frustration it was for this generous, giving woman to receive the treatment and care she preferred to give to others but she did receive it with stoicism and determination. All too soon she has left us with a hole in our hearts that will never be filled.

I know that she is with the Lord right now and is in pain no longer, what more can we wish for a woman whose life was sacrificial, devoted to her husband and family, was a loving gran and great gran. We all loved her and will miss her very much.

Honore de Balzac once wrote:
The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you always find forgiveness.

This is a personal note from Marg, Mike and myself

Dear Mum

As we look back on our lives, we find ourselves wondering, did we remember to thank you for all that you have done for us? For all the times you were by our sides to help us celebrate our successes and accept our defeats?

Or did we remember to thank you for teaching us the value of hard work, good judgement and honesty? I wonder if we ever thanked you for the simple things, the laughter, the smiles and the quiet times we've shared together

If we have ever forgotten to express our gratitude for any of these things, we are thanking you now and hope that you have known all along how much you are loved and appreciated.