Who was my mum, Julie Kay? She saw the greatness in others, even when they could not see it themselves. She was a healer, an artist and a sensitive soul, full of life and laughter. The world was a better place with her in it. We were meant to be here yesterday but the crematorium was meant to be on strike, it was since cancelled, I can imagine her out there putting the world to rights and working tirelessly to fix things, fighting the good fight even now. Mum was a big person, not in stature but in heart. She had an easy laugh and those that met her fell for her instantly. A rare human being filled with integrity and humility. Appreciating beauty, principled, passionate, a believer in the innate goodness of people, an optimist to her core. She will live on in all the good that she did & in all of us. She taught me never to stand idly back when someone or something was in need. I have received so many tributes to her, from friends and strangers from childhood to recent times, telling of the amazing warm lady who touched their hearts. She taught me so much of how to be a good human being, to navigate this precious life, I will always be grateful, proud and honoured that she was my mum. I could not find the words to express what she meant to me out there in the world, so I have written her a poem instead …. An ode to my beautiful mum Oh what to say at times like these The words refuse to come with ease, To honour your spirit, heart and soul, You're one in a million, our privilege to know. x Your helping hand, your listening ear, Wise words to counsel, those in fear, Your laugh, your smile, lit up the room, You burned so bright, you've gone too soon. x You touched so many lives you see, Strangers, friends and family, All you met knew you to be, Full of love and generosity. x A mum to many, a friend in need, In your great deeds, you sowed the seeds, A force for good, rare to behold, A tenacious mind, a sensitive soul. x You taught us well, our mum our friend, Your journey here is at an end, In our memories, you live on, You passed the torch to carry on. x So many stories to be told, Filled with such happy times of old, So bright, so beautiful, so true, Until we meet again, adieu. x By Marian Rosefield