Lola Hazel Partridge (10 Jul 1951 - 9 Sep 2015)

In loving memory of Lola Hazel Partridge who sadly passed away on 9th September 2015

Eulogy
My Mum
Hello I’m Nick, Lola’s son, there’s so much I could say about my mum but I shall be as brief as I can be.

My mother was born in Finchley north London; she had four brother’s Geoff, Rodney, Ivan and Desmond. She also has a sister called Corina. Her early years were spent growing up in London and they eventually moved to Waltham Abbey in Essex.

It was a few years later that she met my Dad (Malcolm) at the age of 23; they met in the Turkey public house in Enfield. Somehow my Dad managed to charm my mother and they then married only a year later in a church in Waltham abbey.

Two years after her marriage she gave birth to her first child, me in May 1978, then her daughter Corina in October 1980. In the following years my mum concentrated most of her efforts in bringing up myself and Corina, making sure we didn’t go without even if the money wasn’t always there. There were times at Ashton Road in Enfield where we lived when we would have parties in the front and rear gardens when it seemed like most of the street were invited too. This was when my mum used to be at her best talking to people and making sure everyone was happy. Myself and my sister remember with fondness the time that my mum with her friend took us and her kids all eight of us in one car to Southend for the day. I don’t know how she managed it but she always managed to make sure that we were happy before her own happiness.

When myself and Corina were older my mum started to support my dad who at the time was working in the Turkey public house, then managing at the George in Enfield town. It was then decided that my parents would own a pub called Stopples in Chingford where my mum would support in any way she could, making and serving the food for the customers. There was many a party or celebration in that pub down the years and many people can remember with affection those times.

It was approximately eleven years ago that my parents and sister moved to Daventry this being a place that my mum enjoyed and treasured. I know she used to enjoy working in Tesco’s store only a few yards from this church. She always said to me how many friends she’d made at her place of work and how friendly the people were.

It was ten years ago that she was first diagnosed with cancer and whereas the close family were devastated by this news she was always strong and positive that she would not be beaten by this. Once she was given the all clear from the cancer she looked at life in a new way with a renewed vigour. One of her proudest moments was when her first grandchild arrived, Jessica. Being told the news that my sister was pregnant brought the biggest smile and joy to my mum’s face. My mum was keen to support my sister in the early days and months when Jessica arrived and I know to this day my sister will remain eternally grateful for this. It would be the same when Reece arrived in the recent months but even when my mum was very ill she would still make sure that the children were cared for even before her own well being.

It was a couple of years ago when my mum was again diagnosed with cancer and on this occasion it had spread to her liver and bones but again my mum was still strong and positive that she would overcome this awful disease. Unfortunately there was a gradual decline over a period of two years but despite her worsening illness my mum never grumbled or complained about her sometimes obvious discomfort. I’m sure my mum counted herself lucky to have such a caring and loving family and friends to help nurse and care for her as her conditioned deteriorated, and I’m also sure she gained a great deal of comfort from knowing they were there for her as she had been in the past for them.

My mum always liked Christmases and birthdays because she knew that the whole family no matter what would be happening in our lives would come together, she cherished these moments. It was never to do with the presents or gifts. But the precious time spent together at these special occasions. I know this will certainly be something that will be carried on in the future in the loving memory of my mum.

My mum was a very well respected, well liked, popular lady, with lots of friends, many of whom are here today, and I’d like to take this opportunity to convey to her friends a message of gratitude and appreciation from my mum’s family for that unconditional friendship and support for my mum over the years. We all have many happy memories of my mum and these we must hold dear in our hearts and cherish them as she cherished us.

Whilst writing this eulogy I asked around the family if they had any funny memories of my mum from when she was young up to the recent years. Well the family didn’t disappoint and I had many a story of my mum being the life and soul of the party never being the first to go to bed. Also the conversations my mum had with people and the advice she provided was invaluable to them. The one thought or message I got from all the funny stories was when people think of my mum they smile and this how she would have liked to be remembered.
Thank you.