To my darling friend Charlene A strong Friendship doesn’t need daily conversation,doesn’t always need togetherness as long as the relationship lives in the heart true friends will never part I loved u like a sister so rest my friend I will see soon

Ma Chère Charlène Je n’ai pas pu t’adresser une dernière parole, un dernier regard, un sourire… Tu es partie trop vite, mais ton repos est désormais sans souffrances. Immense est mon regret que ce p.... de Covid nous ait tous « séparés » aussi longtemps. Je voudrais te le dire Au-delà du chagrin, je garderai au fond de moi ta douceur, ta gentillesse, ton accent si particulier et de précieux souvenirs de nos petits échanges culinaires. Mes plus tendres pensées vont vers toi et les tiens en ce jour et je sais que désormais tu veilleras tout là-haut. Tu n’est pas loin, juste de l’autre côté du chemin 💗

Dear Charlene , We never met in person but from the moment we start talking online you showed ur love , your warm heart and your wonderfull sence off humor. You always got a place in my heart. Rest in peace dear Charlene

Charlene, We have been friends for 54 years, with the first five being full of life-discoveries and fun. We both met our husbands together, then moved away from East London to many new places. In 2015 we spent the day with you in New Zealand, which is the other side of the world from where our friendship began. I will miss you - but this is not Goodbye for we will meet again!

Charlène, Souriante dame, tu es dans nos coeurs à tous. Quand un arc en ciel irisera le ciel assombri, c’est que tu nous souriras Puis un jour, nos larmes tristes deviendront des larmes de joie, tout doucement …. Alors, tu marcheras , sereine , dans les prairies célestes. Bye bye Charlène,tout doucement …... Charlene, Smiling lady, you are in our hearts. When a rainbow creates an iridescent in the darkened sky, it means that you will smile at us Then one day, our sad tears will slowly become tears of joy…. Then, you will walk, serene, in the celestial meadows. Bye bye Charlene, very slowly …...

My Darling mom Well where do I start, goodbyes are forever so I’m not saying goodbye. Sitting here in your chair looking around at all my Smurfs reminds me of how much you loved me, only you could put up with my craziness.  The bond we shared was not just as mother and son but also best friends and soul mates. On our journey together through this life we never took the easy path, but had some amazing adventures along the way and met some fabulous people who supported us and kept us company on the journey.  One of my earliest memories of my childhood was of you leaving me at the roadhouse after I spilt my milkshake all over the back seat of the car, the heartache I felt then is the same as I feel now. I take comfort though in knowing you came back for me then as you will come back for me one day again when the time is right.  I will cherish my childhood memories forever, i could not wish for a better childhood than you gave us, free to explore and roam and get up to untold mischiefs but you were always watching from a distance and ready to guide me back to the correct path when I strayed. Thinking about it, you guided me right through my life, even in your final days and  hours you were there to tell me off when I strayed, which seemed to be directly linked to how many Smurfs I bought that day . 🤣 (continue below)

Another early memory I have is, Standing on a chair next to you in front of a stove and learning how to cook and bake, I don’t ever remember a time when I was never excited about food and the joy of people sitting down and enjoying food together,  and that was all because of your love and recognising it’s what makes me feel alive, thank you mom for seeing that.  My life is filled with so many amazing memories, holidays at Xmas rock, sneaking my baby white mice into the hotel we were living in, playing pac man, getting my first Smurf, who would of guessed how that would of played out haha. playing darts and pool with you, having a few brandy’s and coke, card nights with Rina and Andrew, coming home from the army and making new dishes for you to taste, our Bingo nights with Des, taking you and Nanny to the casinos, our holiday to Australia and then Rarotonga, the joy and love in your eyes when each of your grandchildren were born. These are memories I will cherish till we meet again. The road ahead without you by my side is not going to be easy mom but I promise to always make you proud.  Mom I still see your face before me Your voice I long to hear I miss and love you Derly God knows I wish you were here Tears fall freely from my eyes Like a river filled with grief My only comfort now, is that From pain you’ve found relief

A Charlène, Je n'aurais pas la chance de vous rencontrer et en voyant tout l'amour que les personnes vous témoignent, je le regrette. Merci d'avoir été pour Fanch cette amie formidable mais également une mère aimante et attentionnée. Que votre repos soit doux et que vous puissiez continuer de sourire, cuisiner, rire et veiller sur les personnes qui vous sont chères sans souffrance. Ofa mamahi atu ki faitoka.

Chere Charlene, je te connaissais qu'au travers des recits, anecdoctes de mon AMI Fanch. Lors de son dernier séjour, il parlait de toi a chaque gout sucré de bonnes confitures maison, et disait, oohhh ceci plaira a Charlene. C'est une personne exceptionnelle , ce petit bout de femme. Je te rends hommage et prie pour que ton repos soit doux. Brilles dans le ciel, veilles sur les tiens douce Charlene. Uma. Sia

Chère Charlène, nous ne nous connaissions pas physiquement mais je te connaissais par tout l'amour que te porte mon frère de coeur. Tu étais une troisième maman pour lui, je ne te remercierai jamais assez d'avoir illuminé sa vie. Je t'embrasse de toute mon affection, que tu retrouves une vie de lumière sans douleur. Je vous aime très fort les garçons ❤️

Mom Myself, Den and the boys are sitting here at OR Tambo en route back to Luxembourg whilst I try to put some words down on the screen to say goodbye…I could turn this into a book, but won’t - will keep that for conversations between you and I… From a young age you instilled in us the value of family and sticking by each other by your actions…we never had an excess of anything, but always had a good meal each night and felt loved. There was always a balance between getting shit done and enjoying life…ok, maybe leaning a bit more towards enjoying life 😜 - as a more serious type of person I often look back to those days for some re-direction…thank you for that and everything else you gave to make me who I am. I could go on for a while here, but…rest easy now until we see each other again…and say Hi to John for me please…gonna miss you more than you could know. Your loving son Martin Mom, I couldn’t have asked for a better MIL. You will be greatly missed - love you always. Den Granny was the best gan a kid could ask for, my heart aches now that I’ll never get to see her again. Nic Granny was the most kind hearted of them all. She always loved us with everything she had and knowing I won’t see her again breaks me but I know she’s in a better place and she’ll always be with me. Tyler

Char Thank you so much for everything, you were always so welcoming! Mum loves you and your family so much. I’m so happy that mum got over to see you!! Rest In Peace ❤️ xxxx

Oh dear Charls, What a great friend to me you were. I am so glad we had this last time together to spend reminiscing and telling tales. Your love for John has now gone full circle. Say hi to Kurt from me. Up the Irish 🍺 ☘️ Thank you for all you did for Kurt & me. Look after them all, as I know you will. 🥀 Your dear step-daughter-in-law. 🥰 xx

I'll never forget the first time I met Charl, she was sitting on her one leg and the other one was at an odd angle. I was looking around for her wheelchair! 😂 She laughed at me for ages! She was the best Ouma Charl for my boys, Owen and Ethan will miss you loads ❤️ You are loved always

Beautiful Mumma such special memories of you will always bring a smile to my face, if only I could have you back for a little while, to sit and talk some more, you have always meant so very much to me, the fact that you are no longer here will always cause me pain, my heart is broken RIP sweet mumma until we meet again Love you kiwi daughter Catriona