I have some extremely fond childhood memories of summers in Exeter, and even though it must be nearly 20years since I was last there, the playground opposite Doug and Liz's former house is as clear to me now as it was then. I remember Auntie Liz as a huge part of my childhood, alongside both my grandparents and Uncle Doug - especially during my school holidays. I was very lucky to have an upbringing filled with love and across so many relatives who were pleased to spend time and care for me. Auntie Liz was deeply loved by all of us and will live on in our happy memories.
Matt
28th April 2020
Liz has been a constant, loving presence in our lives. We cannot remember a time without her, there at every significant stage and milestone.
She was warm, kind, funny, intelligent and curious, interested in the detail of our lives and always ready with a story or experience to share (usually long, convoluted with many sub plots!) Unfailingly generous, welcoming, resilient and strong.
Childhood memories revolve around our two families: Liz and Doug, mum and dad, and us four children- Alison, Roger, Sally and Ailsa - and the extended network of family and friends. Horley and Honiton Road, shared Christmases and summer holidays, Budleigh, Exmouth Woodbury, Haytor and Shanklin. Happy, sunny times.
Liz and Doug were a bolt hole for me at university in Exeter, a time which cemented and transitioned a loving childhood relationship into an enduring adult one that sustained. For Sally, Liz’s honorary grandparent role when Matt was born led to her sharing holiday support with Beryl, Gordon and Doug. Another layer of the ongoing extended family in place, added to as Ellie and Katherine came along a few years later.
We are hugely grateful that Liz has been in our lives and for all the happy times and memories. We will miss her dreadfully.
Ailsa and Sally
Ailsa
27th April 2020
Liz was my sister-in-law, a very feisty and caring lady. As a teacher she always looked for the "good" in even the most troublesome person or situation; as a local she supported many activities in and around Exeter; as a wife and mother she was a big part of the glue which held our families together. But over all she was a great friend.
We first met in the early 1950's when she was living in "bachelor-girl" rooms in Exeter. (It didn't seem possible that anyone could plug so many devices into one socket - a sort of 240 volt jackstraw's castle). Our friendship evolved over the next 65 years, through good times an bad; through celebrations and grief; through holidays shared by Doug, Liz, Beryl and me (Liz was able to memorise the guide book and be our own valuable audio-guide); but most of all our friendship evolved through our "shared families" as our children grew up. (When we went anywhere together we made an instant crowd of 8 !)." It was always a huge pleasure to watch Alison, Roger, Ailsa and Sally building their own close relationships, forming bonds of enduring strength. Now Nigel and Cate join with us to watch Sam, Alfie, Ellie, Kk and Matt building up their own connections for the future.
We all miss Liz and remember her in our own ways. I shall always remember the huge number of happy times we all enjoyed together, full of fun and laughter, achievements and promises for the future. I shall always remember her strength of character.
I shall always remember her with love.
Gordon x
Roger
26th April 2020