Celebration of life (TT column 29.10.13)

Last week I lost my most avid column reader.

I have always been told that life should be celebrated, so I want to take this opportunity to reflect on my loving Grandmother who passed away last Tuesday. At the impressive age of ninety, Vera Constance Maria Hutchings had experienced a hardworking life, she lost all of her teeth at a young age and survived a total of seven hip replacements, yet you never heard her complain. Due to her disabilities I have only known Granny with crutches or her wheelchair, both of which provided hours of entertainment for my sister and I when growing up. Another vivid memory I have comes from my days as a young member of Tavistock Swimming Club and the coach trips to the Saturday afternoon Galas. I remember the challenge of helping Granny onto the bus with her trusty step (that I was always slightly embarrassed to bring with us), and how she accurately recorded all of my times and calculated the overall team points tally. I think Granny was sometimes better known than me on the sporting circuit, my friends, competitors and other supporters were always pleased to see her. I know that she got a lot of pleasure from following my sporting journey, her house was pretty much a trophy cabinet as she so proudly displayed my medals.
It was not just her role as a Grandmother to six of us that she filled so brilliantly. She had several Great Grandchildren from whom she gained immense amounts of pleasure, including the latest edition, my niece Eleanor, whose christening was celebrated on Sunday.

I am concluding this with tears in my eyes but happy memories in my heart, RIP Granny Hutch.