I first met Cynth when I was three or four years-old, when (my brother) Doug brought her home.  I can remember her saying that I was the first child that had taken to her.  The thing is, she was such fun - always laughter!  Such happy memories.


When they got engaged they took me to Croydon with them to pick up the ring.  I was sworn to secrecy.  We went back to Cynthy's house, where, in the kitchen, I told Eve (Cynth's mum) that I had a secret.  She said, "That's okay, you can tell me."  I told her Dougie had bought Cynth a ring, which was promptly followed by Eve going into the lounge and telling George (Cynth's dad).   Needless to say they were thrilled, even if I had let the cat out of the bag before Cynth and Doug had told anyone.


Over the years our families enjoyed great parties at Doug and Cynth's homes: lots of laughter and singing, always fun.  She spoilt us with all of her culinary delights, and us all traipsing through to the dining room with bowls of food.  Really happy times.


Over the years Cynth was a sister-in-law you could turn to, and she was always there with remedies for everything (for example for flu, when she brought food and paracetamols) and was ready to help if we needed her in any way.  Her hospice care job was another one of those areas - she just wanted to help everyone - resulting in running the HospisCare shop for years in Biggin Hill.


When we moved further south, a few years ago, Cynth and Doug were just around the corner.  The day we moved, she arrived with kettle, mugs, tea, homemade cake, and cleaning stuff.  She put everything away from our boxes in the kitchen that day.  What a lovely welcome!


Since then we enjoyed fab meals out;  and we shared cultural events with Cynth, taking her to see 'The 39 Steps' at the theatre, and to see the Elvis film (where she wanted to take the big comfy reclining chair), and then to see 'Bat Out Of Hell' where she sang away.

She loved the garden, and we spent many happy times in ours, having lunch with her and Dougie, in the sunshine.  Perfect times.

To say I will miss Cynthy is an understatement.  She was just a wonderful woman, who always went that extra mile for everyone.  I'm proud and privileged to have had her as my sister-in-law.