Good afternoon everyone, thank you for coming today.  The number of people in the room speaks volumes for the kind of woman she was. For those who don’t know me – my name is Liam and I was fortunate to call this wonderful woman my Gran.  A few weeks ago, after years of fighting, stubbornness and untold strength, Gran finally found peace.
 
Being her youngest grandchild, I got to spend more time than most with Gran, which in turn meant she was a big influence on me growing up.  I will always miss the close relationship I had with her, but I will cherish my memories of her forever, as I am sure you all will.  She taught me a lot, and I hope I can pass on her “wisdom” in the future.
 
Aside from the unconditional love she showed me, it will be the small things I will always hold dear about her – the tissues stuffed up her jumper sleeve, her obsession with babies and love of tennis to name a few.  Whether it was helping to teach me how to drive in her Ford Fiesta, or standing on the side of a rugby pitch in the rain, she was always there to support me every step of the way, and for that I will be eternally grateful.  I feel lucky that I was able to spend so much time with her throughout my life and share so many experiences with her.
 
In preparation for this speech, I asked various people who knew her well to describe Gran in a few words, to try and sum up the person she was.  I have tried to filter in as many of them as I could, along with some personal memories of my own. 
 
It wouldn’t be fair to stand here and shower Gran in false pretences.  She wasn’t your stereotypical Grandma, who was always generous and sensitive.  That just wasn’t her.  But that was the beauty of her for me.  What you saw was what you got, she was unique, and we loved her for it.
 
I think it’s fair to say she lived a simple life.  It didn’t take much to make her happy – a phone call, a visit for a cuppa or a hug when saying goodbye.  Her family and friends were the most important people in the world to her, and she was so proud of us all.  She was happiest when she was in our company.  
 
She had a wicked sense of humour and an infectious laugh which you couldn’t help but laugh along with.  She was always the life and soul of the party, making the noise.  Every time we visited Grappollo’s Italian Restaurant; she acted like it was her birthday and she would bag herself the pink cowgirl hat, waving her arms in the air and dancing with the staff.  She always liked to have a glass of something in her hand, whether it be Crofts original, a gin and tonic or whatever else she could get her hands on.
 
She was outspoken, with a mouth as sharp as a razor, and whoever you were, you always knew she’d give you a piece of her mind in no uncertain terms.  She said it as it was.  An item of clothing, the driving route to her house, the choice of television programme.  When voicing her opinion, she was direct and to the point.  This occasionally did cause some public embarrassment when her critique was directed at a stranger in the supermarket, but on the whole, I’d say it was an endearing characteristic of Gran which we all appreciated.
 
Gran was quirky and crazy, and always fun to be around.  She never took life too seriously and was always someone you could count on to have a good time with.  She was happy to dish out a joke, but the moment you turned it on her, you were in for a smack on the arm, and her reaction made the whole situation all the funnier.  Even as the illness intensified, she still maintained her sense of humour and remained young at heart.
 
One everlasting memory of Gran involves some of my good friends from school, who are here today. We were 12 or 13 and a few of us were in her garden picking up apples.  Boys being boys, we naturally were messing around and threw a few at each other.  Unfortunately, one loose throw went agonisingly close to hitting Gran.  But Gran being Gran, she proceeded to pick up said apple and hurl it back to where it came from, sending it smashing into her greenhouse.  Safe to say, we all ended up in stitches.
 
She was playful always, and never lost her competitive edge.  Whether it be a game of table tennis with my friend Isaac in Benalmadena, where she proclaimed putting spin on the ball was illegal, or a game-show on television, she always wanted to win and was a terrible loser.
 
There are few, if any, people I have ever met more stubborn than Gran.  I don’t think I ever won an argument with her.  Once she believed she was right, there was no convincing her otherwise.  You could hold a mirror up in front of her, and she would deny the reflection was her.
   
Anyway, thank you for listening to me babble on.  I hope I have helped bring back a memorable event or time you shared with Gran.  
I know she would want us all to remember the good times we shared with her.  She would want us to live our lives how she lived hers, with a smile on our face, at peace with one another and with love in our hearts for those closest to us.  I would like to finish on a poem. Its title is “Memories in the heart” …
 
Memories in the heart
Feel no guilt in laughter, she knows how much you care
Feel no sorrow in a smile that she’s not here to share.
You cannot grieve forever; she would not want you to.
She’d hoped you can carry on, the way you always do.
So, talk about the good times and the way you showed you cared
The days you spent together, all the happiness you shared.
Let memories surround you, A word someone may say
Will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, or a day
That brings her back as clearly as though she was here
And fills you with the feelings that she is always near
For if you keep these moments, you will never be apart
And she will live forever, locked safe within your heart.
 
Gran, for your wisdom, your humour and your love, thank you.