Andrew Joseph Conroy (1 Dec 1956 - 21 Sep 2016)

Morning Andy
Well today it's our 27 year wedding anniversary and last night I took a trip down memory lane.
I looked at our wedding photos and also got the book out that Gail made you for your 60th birthday.
I know you didn't getto see this but you would have loved it. Gail put so much work and thought into it and it would have really made you laugh.
Anyway, I'm sending you my love and your always in my thoughts
Love Rose xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Love

Well it's been a while since I last wrote you and now 8 years have passed since you went away. My world has changed in so many ways, as my life has adapted without you. I think I've said previously that after a couple of years on my own, I found the confidence to start holidaying by myself. Family and friends were absolutely wonderful, but they were all couples and through no fault of theirs, I always felt like a spare wheel. Although since then, someone has told me that spare wheels can be very useful. It started off gradually and I think the pandemic made my life how it is now as you see so many holidayswere postponed. So from a couple of years back, I had a numerous number of holidays to take in a year. I quite liked this idea and so now deliberately try to take a holiday each month (Sometimes it's two in a month) I've made such a lot of new acquaintances as I meet the same people sometimes on different trips. Going away also gets me out of the house from being on my own.
Gail at Derby is also now in the same situation as me, andwe have been able to take a couple of holidays together and short breaks.
On one of my solo trips, I have actually met a friend that has now become a very special friend and it has now progressed to us having several trips away together. Although, he is a special friend and means a lot to me, you are my only one and true love of my life and always will be.
On a different note, your grandchildren are growing up so fast. Taylor is now 14, Lilly-Mae 10 and Carter 6. You would be so proud of them. Carter is so advanced for his years and manages to complete really complicated lego models that are for much older children. All the family are doing well and can you believe Karl is 40 this December.
On a sadder note, Val my sister passed away earlier this year. It's very difficult coming to terms when losing another loved one and she is also being very sadly missed.
I will close now and write again soon.
All my love
Rose xxxxxxxxxxx

Happy Christmas Sweetheart
Lots of ❤️ love, 🫂 hugs and 💋 kisses
From 🌹 Rose
XXXXXXXX

Hi Sweetheart. Happy birthday. Peter's birthday as well. He is extremely happy as he now gets his state pension.
Sorry this is not my usual long message but we are at the airport on our way to our yearly family trip to Tenerife. 17 years now, but this is the last one and we're calling it Last Trip to Paradise as, as you know that is the name of the complex where we stay. The hills are just getting too much for us mature people now.
Love you loads with lots of hugs
🌹 Rose xxxxxxxxxx

Hi Andy. Happy wedding anniversary 💕 sweetheart. 26 years today.
Lots of love ❤️ and hugs
Love Rose 🌹 xxxxxx

Hi Love.
It's been a while since I last wrote. There's been some sadness as your sister Mary has departed from us, and Gail at Derby has lost Phil.
I'm still ambling along and trying to take as many holidays as I can afford, while I still can. Back in July I returned to that same log cabin we stayed at in Wales, when we had the most lovely week and yes, even in Wale the sun shone every day. Anyway, Teresa and Mark came with me and we also had a lovely week, even though the sun didn't shine very much. They took their guitars and it was really fantastic having them play each day. Next month I'm going with Gail and Martin on a CLC holiday to Portugal - Alvor. Gail has been in the wars. She tripped and has two fractures in her foot and has to wear a large moon boot. Fingers crossed she has recovered in time. My sister Val has also been in the wars since January and is now at home but still struggling. I hope so much for her recovery.
I've been keeping busy, decorating the hall, stairs and landing and your brother Peter is fitting some new internal doors. Infact he started yesterday. I think you'd like them as they are self coloured - pale grey and never need painting. Also, I've been clearing a lot from the back garden. I lost a lot of plants last winter and there is still a lot of work to be done. I think the weather is going to be against me now, but we'll see. I had to have the back fence replaced and I also have new fence on both sides, thanks to the neighbours.
Well, it's seven years today you said your goodbye. The time has gone so quickly or as I get older it just seems time goes more quickly. You're in my thoughts so much and I really miss having your company.
Your three grandchildren are also growing very quickly. Taylah is 13, Lilly 9 and Carter 5. I went over to Dave and Stephs new house back in August for Carter's 5th birthday. He's moved on from Paw Patrol and is now into Lego. I got him some various Lego kits and I couldn't believe, even at his young age, how he followed the instructions and put them together. He built two whist I was there.
This is all for now and I will try not to leave it so long before I write to you again.
I love you loads and I am sending you big hugs and kisses.
Love from Rose 🌹
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hi Sweet heart. Just to let you know you're in my thoughts today on your birthday. Today you with your twin brother Peter officially become OAP's. Tomorrow as I said in my last message it's our family yearly trip to Tenerife. So don't forget to be there tomorrow evening for a drink or two. Will write to you again soon nearer Christmas and tell you all about it.
Again, loads of love, hugs and kisses
Love
Rose
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Happy 25th wedding anniversary sweetheart.
Well the weather today is lovely - cold but lovely, exactly the same as the day we got married, a whole 25 years ago. WOW. How wonderful.
I'm at home today having an admin day, sorting lots of things out, sending emails and such. It won't be long now until our family trip to Tenerife. This will be the 16th year and the 17th visit since we started going in 2007. There are 9 of us this year with Gail and Martin and their party in the one apartment and Peter, Teresa, Mark and myself in the other apartment, so as I say each year, be there on the 2nd December to raise a glass.
The weekend just gone was absolutely superb. Angela celebrated her 60th birthday and treated her siblings and partners to an over night stay in a beautiful hotel near Cannick at Acton Trussell with a fantastic evening meal in our own private dining room.
Honestly Andy, I hope you were looking down to see Martin, Mary, Peter, Teresa, Angela, Josie and Joanne. It was so marvellous for them all to be together for the first time again since Simons wedding in 2018. Mary who has been very poorly is coming through with light at the end of the tunnel. She looked really good on Saturday.
I won't write any more today ad it's your birthday in just over a week so I will write again then or just wish you a happy birthday and then write later in the week so as I can tell you what is going on in Tenerife.
Cheerio for today. Love you loads and as usual lots of love and hugs from Rose xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Love.
Just to let you know you are in my thoughts today and I raised a glass to you with Val and Ivan when we were out for lunch earlier.
Well we finally did the canal boat holiday. I'm not joking, if you could have seen the panic looks on Martins and Marks faces when we first started off and got stuck in the silt. They were an absolute picture. Anyway we soon sorted our roles out. Martin and Gail doing the steering and the throttle. Mark was our walker / runner for the tunnels and bends. He really enjoyed his walking holiday as he walked miles. Teresa and I played a really important role. The one day when stuck in the silt again, a boat coming the other way with some Germans on said ( obviously in a German accent) "Too many crew at front". There was then shouts to us in side "You two, get to the back of the boat now". We did as we were told and both lay across the double bed at the back of the boat and all of a sudden the front of the boat lifted up. We were the ballast, probably about 28 stone of ballast. Anyway we did enjoy the holiday but none of us want to have another canal boat holiday EVER.
One nice thing was that Angela drove to Shropshire and met up with us for lunch where we were moored up outside a pub. She bought Mary who has been and is still quite poorly. It was a lovely surprise for her as Martin went in and pretended to be a waiter to take her order. Lovely memories.
Angela is 60 in November and is treating her siblings to a meal and stay over in a hotel which will be very nice. Also next year we are resurrecting, after the covid shut down, the Conroy yearly meet up at the Crown Plaza in Solihull. It will be so lovely to all meet up and reflect on your happy memories.
Last month Dave and Steph finally got married in Cyprus. You'd have been so proud. The wedding was absolutely amazing. Steph looked so gorgeous, Dave looks so much like you and little Carter was so cute. He has just started school and looks terrific in his school uniform.
Coming back, I didn't realise Peter, Shane and Alice were on the same flight ad me and bumped into them at Pathos airport on the Friday night. We were all denied boarding due to a crew member being poorly so the last 39 in the queue weren't allowed on. Anyway we ended up being transferred to a 5 * hotel in Pathos in the middle of the night. We finally ended up getting back to the UK on the Sunday morning but were flown to Manchester and then a taxi to Brum. What an ordeal, although the day in the 5* hotel was very nice.
I'm still gadding about and have just come back from a coach holiday in Italy. I make friends easily and always find someone to talk to. Next month I'm off to Portugal with Gail from Derby. I'm trying to get about as much as I can before I meet you in the bar upstairs.
I've also been visiting Teresa and Marks a lot more as they now live in Hednesford. They have a lot of tribute acts in venues round where they live and I go with them and they have all been really good. I'm going to one this Friday. Teresa and Mark have signed up to come with me next year to the CLC Pant Glass site (log cabin in Wales). I've told them that we wrnt twice and really enjoyed it but there's nothing there. The nearest shop is 7 miles away and the pub 3 miles away but they say that is what appeals to them. Lots of walks and hopefully if there is room in the car, Mark will take his guitar and sit playing on the porch of the cabin.
Well that's all for now my love. I hope you're behaving yourself. I will write to you in November on our wedding anniversary - 25 years.
Lots of love and hugs
Rose
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Love,
Well summer has arrived at last but for how long who knows. On Sunday, Gail, Martin, Teresa, Mark and myself are on a week canal boat holiday starting in Shropshire. This has been postponed for two years due to covid, so we're all looking forward to it so make sure you come along. I've packed already. I'm very excited.
You're in my thoughts every day and I talk to you around the house. Sometimes when something falls on the floor, I blame you as I reckon it's your wicked sense of humour and you're up there having a good laugh.
Also, Dave and Stephs wedding is finally going ahead in August in Cyprus as this has also been delayed for two years due to covid. I wasn't going as it can reach 40 degrees in August, but have changed my mind and our old neighbours who have moved to Cyprus, only 5 minutes from the venue, are putting me up. I've been putting my outfit together for the last month, trying to pick something to stay cool in. Not easy when you have bingo wings.
I'm doing okay and have coach holidays, mostly on my own but in April, I did manage to get away with the family to Costa del Sol, where the little train runs round. We had two apartments with Gail, Martin and Co in one and Teresa, Mark me and Gail from Derby on the other. We had lovely weather and hopefully are going back again next year.
Gail and Martin popped round yesterday and bought a dvd of Tenerife in 2008,so I can't wait to watch that later on and see what you were up to.
I'm having a house work day today. Ugh. Hate house work but it's too hot to do any gardening. I did start on Monday and made some progress. Even though it's supposed to be low maintenance, the weeds still take over. You were probably having a good laugh last week as I went to sit on the swing settee at the top of the garden and the canvas had gone rotten. My fault for not keeping it covered. Anyway, my bum was on the ground with my legs over the front bar and I had the devils own job to get out of that fix. I ordered a replacement seat and went for a 3 seater white wood bench. It was absolute joy fitting it together, lying on
the ground trying to tighten up the nuts and bolts and then attach the chains and lift it up to hook onto the springs. Got there in the end.
Well that's all for now. I will write again when back from canal trip.
Lots of love, hugs and kisses to you.
Love Rose
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear dad
We miss you every day!!
Karl and I talk about you all of the time . I miss you!
You were so wonderful and funny and the daftest person ever but you were you!
I hope you’re having a cider and some
Irish stew like nanny made
I wish you were here today to see how amazing your boys are. All credits to you. I love and miss you immensely. Say hi to all our Grand folk up there.

My dear Andy
Well we're out in Tenerife as usual for this time of year and today it is your birthday. 65 today. Happy birthday. Peter is with us in the apartment along with Teresa and Mark and my friend Gail from Derby.
Gail and Martin from the other apartment have just come down and bought a big chocolate cake for Peter with candles on "SH*T U R OLD". You were included in the birthday wishes.

This pandemic is still raging around the world but we are managing to travel as long as you comply with all the different requirements. I managed to get to Ibiza in October with Gail from Derby and at the end of January, I'm venturing to Cyprus to stay with our old neighbours, Maura and Andy.

A couple of weeks ago I went to Dave and Stephs for Sunday lunch which was really lovely. Sarah and Karl were also there with the two girls, both growing up so quickly. Carter, now 3 is such a character. You'd absolutely adore him. He's so cute. Dave and Steph have sold that lovely big house but are still staying in the same area into an even bigger house.

Well Xmas will soon be here and even though I've had a couple of invitations, again likeliest year, I've decided to have Xmas dinner on my own. It's not because I'm miserable, but after I've eaten I know I will just want to crash out on the settee and watch a nice film.

Well that's all for now. We're by the pool but it has gone very cloudy and rain is threatened, so I think we'll be heading back to the apartment. I will write to you over Xmas or new year. Look over your loved ones. You are always in our thoughts. God bless.
Much love and hugs from
Rose
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hi Love.
Well it's been 5 years today since you've been gone. We all miss you very much and you are frequently in our thoughts. Not a lot has happened since I last wrote to you. This world pandemic is still with us but we are trying to adapt to live along side it.
Unfortunately, we did not make the canal boat holiday or Dave and Stephs wedding in Cyprus but the good news is they are both rescheduled for the same time next year. Fingers crossed. We should still be going to Tenerife in November though as foreign travel restrictions are lifting. This will be our 15th time and Peter is joining us again along with the usual crowd, so as usual make sure you are there on the 26th November.
This Friday, weather permitting, the Tenerife crowd are meeting up at Teresa and Marks for a BBQ. We have to make sure that our lifters and leaners are working properly.
Recently, I've been having friends and family over to endure my cooking. These include some new neighbour friends, Gail from Derby. Gail and Martin and tomorrow, Val, Ivan and Andrew. I'm getting really good at opening a jar of hunters chicken sauce. I've got to have a housework day today, so I'll need my long sleeves on to do the dusting.
All your family are doing ok. Carter is now 3, Taylah 11 and Lilly-Mae 7. Karl and Sarah have moved to a new house which I will be going over to see soon.
I love and miss you very much. Life does get lonely sometimes but I absorb myself in my memories. I will write to you before Tenerife.

Lots of love, hugs and kisses.

Rose
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Love.

Well at long last I'm writing to you. Because of Covid not a lot has happened since Xmas but restrictions gradually being lifted and life starting to get back to some sort of normal. I've had my two jabs and everyone should wear masks when going out.

Amazingly the family managed to get to Tenerife last December. We just managed it before the government bought in new restrictions leading up to Xmas. It was so nice being able to eat out at restaurants even though we could not all sit together due to number restrictions per table. Peter really enjoyed the holiday and has signed up again for this year in December. Again though this year more holidays abroad have been cancelled or postponed. So I didn't get to Costa del Sol with Gail and Martin and today I should have been going on an old biddies coach trip to Austria. Still, looking forward to June I have another old biddies coach trip to Cornwall. Later in the month, with Gail Martin, Teresa, Mark, Angela and me - we are booked on a canal boat holiday in Shropshire. Lets hope they both go ahead. I'm sure you remember the last canal boat holiday with Gail and Martin (August 2005) where you were trying to do a 101 point turn to get the boat turned round. Martin had disappeared and was in long conversation with someone he'd met. And then there was the day when the heavens opened - We were around Nottingham and it was when the tornados hit Birmingham. You got absolutely drenched. Another memory which I cringe when I think about, is when I shut your finger in the boot of the car. OUCH. Going forward, we all have our fingers crossed for Dave and Stephs wedding in Cyprus and that we are allowed to travel. We fly out at the end of August for two weeks and they get married 1st September. I'm sharing a villa with Gail, Martin and Richard. Angela, Teresa, Mark and his dad Wal have another villa just up from ours. Most of the Conroys will be there but I don't want to get too sad as a couple of your sisters, Mary and Joanne won't be able to make it due to circumstances happening in their lives.

Well onto a different subject.. Unfortunately Tizzy (TYZ) bit the dust in February. She'd done less than 600 miles in 12 months but I suppose because she'd been left standing a lot of the time, there was a lot of corrosion underneath and she needed about £1500 spending on her. She was 17 1/2 years old and her engine was still fantastic. Started every time in all weathers but she had to go and I got a whole £60 for her. WOW. Anyway I'm now the proud owner of a 14 plate Honda Jazz and like Tizzy (TYZ) she is named from her registration number (letters UVX) so she is called XXXY (exy) as I tell her You U - Very V - Xxy X. I'm trying to look after this one as I haven't seen any "gaffer tape" in dark grey. Tizzy's bumper was held on with "gaffer tape"!!!

As I mentioned in my previous letter, I had two of the next door neighbours plus their doggy Spud move in for a month between selling their house and moving to Cyprus. It worked out really well. The only thing I didn't like was that they are both heavy smokers. They left in mid April and it took me ages to get the smell of the smoke out of the house. Even so, I did enjoy having some company and felt a bit flat when they'd gone. They're now living in Cyprus about 5 minutes away from where we are staying for Dave and Stephs wedding, so I'll be able to stay with them for a couple of nights and give Martin and Gail a break from me.

This last week, with Covid restrictions being eased a bit more, I've been able to have my school friend Gail from Derby come to stay for 3 days. It was so lovely as the shops had re-opened and we dis a lot of retail therapy and was able to sit inside cafe's to have drinks and afternoon tea. Yum yum. Lovely scones with cream and jam. As she went home on the Wednesday, on the Thursday I had Gail Conroy with her Aunty Colleen - now 94, come over for the afternoon and again I did afternoon tea. More yum yum. It's got to stop as I can't get into some of last years clothes. Oh dear. I need to get back to walking once a week with Gail but the weather for April and May has so far been atrocious. Rain - rain and more rain. I also need to get out in the back garden and do some re-potting. The temperature during last winter went so low, I've lost a few plants. I've bought some replacements and need to get them sorted out.

Well I've gone on now probably long enough. When I speak to my sister Val on the phone every day, I now refer to myself as Rambling Rose as sometimes with all the Covid restrictions, there isn't always a lot to talk about - so I tend to ramble on and I can hear you shouting to Val down the phone "How's your bad ear". I tend to spend my time indoors during these restrictions either reading, knitting, playing games on my tablet or watching TV. Hopefully as I said I'll be able to get out in the garden soon. At least I count my blessings for having a garden, as people living in high rise flats with all these restrictions this last 14 months, it must have been hell for them. Also I have all the paint to start decorating the bedrooms and yes I will be painting the pine bedroom furniture and the laminated floor. Sorreeee.

Well I bid you a good night and God bless.
Loads of love and hugs again.

Love Rose
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ps I will write again after the canal boat holiday, trusting it will be allowed. Also I found some new photos of you and Gail is gong to post them on your website, so look out for them. Some happy memories.