June Lily Howell (4 Aug 1933 - 12 May 2016)

In loving memory of June Lily Howell who sadly passed away on 12th May 2016; wife of Derek and mother to Julie and Roger who will miss her greatly.
Donations are to go to Macmillan Caring Locally. You can make a donation on-line or send via the funeral directors or can be given on the day.

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TRIBUTE
We have been overwhelmed and comforted by the support from so many people, by the number of kind messages, cards, emails, text’s and gifts of flowers from family members, friends, doctors, acquaintances, and from many of the church congregation (St Mary's Church, West Moors).
We have been touched by the words people have used to describe mum , such as - June was a lovely person, warm and generous, kind and loving, caring and genuine. She was all these and much, much more.

She was beloved wife of Derek, and happily married for nearly 57 years. She was the best mum to us (her children, daughter Julie and son Roger); she was always there for us in good times and through the bad times. Small in stature she may have been, but an absolute rock for us when we were growing up and even up to the day she passed away she was always there for us.

Born in Bristol in 1933. Father was Henry Phillips and mother was Lily. Brother was Roy. She met Dad in 1957, was engaged in 1958 and celebrated with a holiday in Jersey. They married in 1959 and honeymooned in Austria. Mum and Dad’s first house was in Patchway, North Bristol, and following the birth of Julie in 1961 and 2 years later Roger, they moved to Westbury on Trym, Bristol. Later they moved to Portishead in 1970’s. When we (Julie and Roger) moved on, Mum and Dad moved to a bungalow in Long Ashton. The final moved was in 1996 to West Moors, Dorset to retire to the countryside.

Mum worked hard all her life, not for wealth and fortune but to give us everything that she could. She had many jobs including, working for the council in Bristol where she met Dad, looking after naughty girls at the Crescent school in Bristol. She was secretary to the headmaster at ‘Highdown Junior’ school Portishead and then clerical officer at Scientific Services Department Portishead Power Station and finally at the Central Electricity Generating Board HQ Bedminster Down Bristol. She was popular with other staff and always had a smile.

When we were growing up, we had magical holidays every year. Sometimes with friends, sometimes with family. As young children, we spent summers in Cornwall, Devon, Wales, the lake district, Scotland and Dorset. Sometimes we would stay in a holiday cottage or on a farm, other times we would go camping. This included camping on the slopes of Snowden and then even further afield, camping in the south of France with best friends the Clements family.
When we were older she took us travelling to Spain, Majorca and Italy. She loved to travel and later we took her a Dad to Germany and Cyprus. For their 40th Wedding anniversary it was a trip on the QE2. Her last holiday away was to Cornwall which included a trip on a helicopter to the Scilly Isles with Dad and Roger.

Mum was enthusiastic about all animals and wildlife. She loved birds and butterflies, cats and dogs, in particular our toy poodle Lulu. She loved the countryside and flowers. Even when she was poorly we used to look out of her bedroom window at night expecting the deer to wander down the road and nibble our plants.

Mum was brilliant at sewing, and when we were children she would knit us jumpers and scarves. And she would make us chocolate or madeira cake. She loved to go overboard at Christmas time with fine roasts and spoiling us with chocolates. She had a great command of the English language and was excellent at crosswords. She had a great sense of humour and was always laughing and joking.

Mum’s best friend Eileen passed away only a few days before mum. They were friends from childhood and went to the same school. They were bridesmaids at each other’s wedding's. They made sure they saw each other every year. They were always laughing together and always had a great time when they met.

Recently, Mum enjoyed coming to the church at West Moors, she made friends there and would look forward to the events such as the Railway day and concerts in the Memorial hall.

Mum was only ill for a short time, she was very brave and we thank God that she was in no pain during that time. She leaves a huge gap, we will never forget her and we miss her immensely.
Thank you mum for being our special mother.

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Mum we miss you so much.
You left us unexpectedly and you leave a huge gap which cannot be filled.
God knew that you were poorly and tired so he sent his angels down to take you to his Kingdom.
May God bless you and keep you in his tender care until we all are united again.