Jacqueline 'Jacky' Peretti (2 Mar 1959 - 6 Apr 2020)

In loving memory of Jacqueline 'Jacky' Peretti who sadly passed away on 6th April 2020 at The London Clinic
Much loved wife to Victor, Mum to Richard & Katherine and Nanny to Olivia, Joe, Jack, Pennie and Vivienne.
No flowers please, Donations to Cancer Research UK.

EULOGY TO BE READ OUT AT JACKY’S CREMATION on the 27th April 2020

Jacky was born at home in Hockley on the 2nd of March 1959 to Eileen, a post lady and Gordon, a fireman on the railways and her big brother David. She went to school in Hawkwell then on to Greensward lane where she met her lifelong best friend Alison.

Jacky loved cooking with her mum, especially baking cakes, so when she left school she decided to go to Catering College in Southend to do a two-year hotel management course. It was here that she met Vic. She was an unassuming, kind, beautiful girl. When Vic first saw her he was smitten, he knew this was a girl for him. After consistently trying to ask her out she eventually succumbed, this was the start of a great relationship.
She had a great time at college, but not because of the studies. Jacky worked at the airport hotel and more often than not herself and Vic would end up at the Zero 6 night club after work, enjoying each other’s company.

Three years later, on Vic’s 21st birthday they got engaged. They bought their first home on Station Road in Leigh, which they renovated together. Then on this very day 40 years ago they got married at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Leigh. Jacky joined the family business full time until, to their great delight Richard was born in 1982. It was then time to find a bigger home and another renovation project in Kenilworth Gardens. In the new home their family was completed with the birth of their beautiful baby Katherine in 1985.

Jacky and Vic worked hard with long hours, but still enjoyed annual holidays to Lake Orta in Italy visiting family & friends where many happy memories were created.

Jacky was a brilliant mum and a great support to Vic. She didn't have much spare time, but to relax she loved doing crosswords, reading historical novels, books by James Herriot, listening to music and of course cooking.

In 2000 they sold the restaurant and moved into property market, they both got stuck in and built themselves a small business of rentals. It was a very hard few years, but fortunately it worked out.

In 2004 Richard married Rachel, then Katherine got married to Rich in 2013. They blessed her with 5 grandchildren Olivia, Joe, Jack, Pennie and Vivienne. Jacky was thrilled. Many sleepovers, days out, teaching them how to cook and cuddles, this was when she was at her most happiest. She loved them all, but wasn't a soft touch, she instilled rules and manners.

Jacky and Vic were fortunate enough to share lots of holidays together to beautiful places, truly happy times.

Jacky's last 12 months before she was diagnosed had been made very special, a few mini breaks, a week in France with Katherine, Rich and the girls, a week in Menorca with Rachel and the kids. Jacky & Vic even fitted in a mini break to Chessington with Olivia & Joe and Legoland with Jack. Topping all this with a 2 month trip travelling around Australia in a motorhome. Jacky said “its like we knew this illness was going to happen and we did everything we wanted to do". She was so pleased and appreciative that they were able to do all this.

Sadly she passed away peacefully on Monday 6th April with Vic by her side and Katherine present via the phone.

Jacky received excellent care at the London Clinic and Vic would like to thank all the wonderful staff for their help and support.

*ORDER OF SERVICE*

MUSIC AS WE GATHER
Fields of Gold
Eva Cassidy

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

READING
She is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile,
open your eyes, love and go on

By David Harkins

THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES

A MOMENT OF REFLECTION
Over the rainbow
Eva Cassidy

A PERSONAL TRIBUTE
Written by Victor

POEM
Chosen by the Grandchildren

If flowers grow in Heaven
Lord, please pick a bunch for me.
Place them in my Nanny's arms
and tell her they're from me.

Tell her that I love her and miss her,
and when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek
and hold her for a while.

Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
but there's an ache within my heart
that will never go away.

THE FAREWELL

CLOSING WORDS AND BLESSING

MUSIC AS WE LEAVE
When Your Gone

Bryan Adams