Pauline Ada Holland 1948 – 2010 A much loved Mam to Bryan Spencer Samantha & Jennifer A loved Mama, Grandma, Great Grandma & Sister. This is the service and celebration for Pauline’s life. We are here to give thanks for the life of Pauline and to commend her soul to God. My name is Susan Gibson and on behalf of her family I welcome you all. This is a sad day, whatever you believe comes next if you believe anything does the death of a loved one is a time to look back, and to take stock. Today is especially sad, because you think about the good times, and those lost. Your tears are not only for the life that was, but for the life that might have been. Everyone here had a special and unique relationship with Pauline though family links will be stronger; she has left her mark on everyone she met. Because we are members of one human community Pauline’s death concerns us all, as we prepare to say farewell with care respect and with dignity. Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come and thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not when in temptation, but deliver us from all evil, for thine is the kingdom the power and the glory forever and ever Amen. I would like to start the service reading Psalm 131, and this is a psalm that Pauline had underlined in her bible. 1 My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore. If I must talk about the words and meaning of that Psalm, I feel Pauline must have been reading it and thought about the words, in her life Pauline had many adversities to bear, but she bore them with great dignity, in her darkest hours, she turned to God for comfort, she put her hope in him. Pauline Holland has lived for most of her life with disabilities; she was a very strong and determined woman. She did what she could for her family, and tried to be the best person she could be. Pauline was born on 10th January 1948 in Backworth, where she lived with her family, her mam and dad were Georgina and Billy, sadly they have both passed, and she has four brothers, her twin Bernard Barry Anthony and Neale and had a special relationship with her Uncle Malcolm who she loved dearly. She went to the local schools, and I asked if she liked school, and her daughter didn’t have to think about the answer, no came the reply, she only went to school because she had too. But she was an average student and a very popular girl, because if not then her Mother would have something to say about that. Her childhood was that of a typical child growing up in a pit village, getting into trouble with her brothers, pinching the potatoes and turnips from the farmer’s fields, pinching the coal from the mines. She often said that her childhood playing with her brothers was one of the happiest in her life. Although she did get sad that she always had to play the Indian when she wanted to be the cowboy like the lads did. She was married to Keith when she was very young and had three children, Bryan Spencer and Samantha, the marriage ended, and many years later she married Paul and had one more daughter Jennifer. Later Catherine and Kevin joined the family too, and although not children but children in law, she loved them like her own. Also there was Ian who she didn’t get to meet with often, but always spoke of as if he had been a part of the family for as long as everyone else. When the children were small Pauline found it difficult to cope, her oldest children left home quite early, and she always admired their independent streak, and the fact they managed to make their way in the world was something that made her very proud. Jennifer said her mam was the best mam she could have been under difficult circumstances. I asked if she was a good cook and Jennifer laughed and said not really, but she could make a great pot-noodle! Throughout her adult life Pauline always kept cats, she loved them especially her babies Jasmine, Fry and Bruiser. They were a big part of the family and still are, being cared for now by their big brother Bryan. Because she was in her home a lot, she enjoyed her TV and loved the soaps. Gangster movies were a favourite of hers, she wasn’t scared of a bit of blood and guts in her movies, she never cared for typical sad movies, instead she found the likes of The Godfather sad and Rambo. She loved crossword puzzles and entering competitions, sometimes making her children take trips to the post box with carrier bags full of letters. She was a prolific writer of lists, anything at all she would list it. She had three pen pals in America called Ulysses Jeff and Tim, who she wrote to regularly, I know that they will miss her letters very much, and I am sure Pauline’s family will be in their prayers toady and always. Pauline had what some would call an obsession with Avon; you could never have enough Avon in her eyes. This became something to smile about at Christmas time when everyone knew what was under their tree’s that year. She also loved catalogues which she bought everything you can imagine from, things you had not even heard of, including a beloved Cuckoo Clock that the family agree will be talked about for generations to come. Pauline was a people person, always wanting to talk to people, whether it is people she had known most of their lives like Mark Wilkinson, one of Jennifer’s childhood friends, who used to steal apples from the front tree or Paul, a childhood friend of Bryan who she adored. Later in life she would talk the ear off more of Jennifer’s friends including Tempy and also Jamie who Pauline loved. When Pauline became a Grandma and Mama to the children she was thrilled, Danielle Grant Kirsty Chris Rhys Joel Meghan and Blake were very important to her, she loved to see them and find out about their lives. She didn’t get to see them all as often as she would have liked, but she loved them all unconditionally. Now she is a very proud Great Grandmother to Simon, who she adored. Pauline lived in her bungalow in Longbenton, this was a lifelong dream of hers and although short lived, and she loved it. Until two years ago, when she, and her family found it hard to cope, she had always maintained her independence, but sadly she knew she needed help and support. She went into Princes’ Court in North Shields, and after a bumpy start, settled in and grew to like her new home, the staff were very good with her, even though at times she let them know she wasn’t happy about something or other, she adored Tina and Catherine and always smiled when talking about them. Despite her being difficult at times everyone loved her, she had a wonderful personality, she was always up for a chat, and would do anything for anyone, never being able to say no. The staff will miss her very much. One of the cards Pauline had in her possession thanked the doctors and nurses for all they did, it says O God thank you for this new day, for the test of the past night, for the doctors and nurses, and for all those who have worked through the night caring for patients in this hospital, this just shows how grateful she was, even if at times she didn’t show it, she truly was grateful. Jennifer, Bryan and the rest of the family have visited their mother as much as they could, and Pauline was always happy to see them, and was over the moon when they had the kids with them. Pauline became seriously ill about two weeks ago, and after Jennifer had visited her on 20th April Pauline died very peacefully with a much loved staff member holding her hand and Catherine sitting by her side. Pauline had a little card in her bible and this verse was on it, I would like to share it with you now. For those who are anxious Isaiah 26, 3:4 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts you. Trust in the Lord, the Lord is the Rock Eternal. Pauline wanted you her family, to trust God, he never gives us more than we can cope with, and God knows Pauline coped with a lot, but she never gave in she was a strong woman, and never once gave up hope. If family members want to come forward and leave flowers on Pauline’s casket they can do so now. It is hard to say farewell to our mother. I know from talking to Jennifer that Pauline was the best mother she could have been, under sometimes difficult situations. But there is no doubt she loved her family and was very proud of them all, and everything they have achieved in their lives. Pauline was always very grateful to those who helped her and supported her throughout her life, and in her heart she was a very kind person, and a very compassionate lady. Pauline We are glad you lived. We are proud we saw your face, and you walked life with us. We respect admire and cherish the memory of your words, your character and your achievement And now we commit her body to be cremated Earth to earth ashes to ashes and dust to dust.