For Bernice Lewington. A website for friends and family to share images, tributes and view details of the commemoration. Just a 'little bit of fun', as Mum would have said.
In memory of...
Bernice Laura Newcombe, born 4th May 1945. 'Bringer of Peace' by name, and 'purveyor of fun' by nature.
We are so sad to have to announce the passing of our Mum, and loyal and loving friend to so many of you.
The Coroner has reported that Mum died of heart attack. We believe that Mum passed away between 4pm and 6pm on the 15th December 2022.
Mum had been ill for a few weeks prior to her passing. Not seriously ill you understand, or at least not as serious as we thought. She had been suffering with what seemed like a heavy cough and cold. In true Bernice style she wasn't making too much of a fuss about it, but did go to the doctors on the Monday and was prescribed steroids to help her lungs breathe in more oxygen and antibiotics to clear a chest infection.
On Wednesday 14th in the morning, in her own words, she felt 'bloody awful' and was cancelling a hair appointment. She must've felt bad! However, by Wednesday afternoon, she had brightened a lot, she was on the way to recovery, kicking off, what we thought was a nasty flu-like cold.
By Thursday Mum felt well enough to attend a nail appointment and was looking forward to getting on with things. In all other respects it was a normal day, and Mum was filling it with activity, despite not feeling her best.
Then things turned bad. We suspected there may be a problem on Friday when Mum had not shared with us her winning 'wordle' result by 7 am in the morning! We were worried, and so we called her phone. The phone remained un-answered and ultimately this led to Harriet's discovery that she had passed away.
We are glad that Mum felt well enough on her final day to go out and get her nails done. We know she spent some time with friends on Thursday and was planning to grill some Salmon for the evening meal.
Much as this is a shock to all of us, we all know and can take solace in the fact that this is the way she would have wanted it. We do not believe she suffered. We know she didn't want to get 'old' or become 'elderly'
We don't think she thought she was about to pass on. We did all expect more natters and laughs with a glass of wine and some good food for a few more years.
I don't think Mum ever considered herself 'old'. She was active, she drove down to Surrey from Suffolk often. She was still planning trips abroad and organising events locally. Mum had just come back from a months cruise, stopping at Boston, New York and the Eastern Canada with her loving sister Wendy on the 30th October. Mum was planning to meet Julie and Paul at the weekend. Mum's life was as full of as much 'fun' as it could ever be and that was the way she wanted it.
Henry & Harri
Mum's last wishes
Mum did not want to have a funeral. She wanted a 'do' to celebrate her life and that is exactly what we will do. Mum was not religious and although not entirely un-traditional she wanted us to shy away from a more traditional funeral format.
Mum wanted to donate her body to medical science. We are very sad to report that despite contacting every Universities anatomical and research departments in England this has not been possible due to the time of year.
However, Mum was also a pragmatist and given that there now will be a crematation we will of course, attend. We would like to welcome everyone who wants to join us at the funeral to attend. Details are below.
Please do contact anyone you know who knew Mum and let them know.
We have tried to get in touch with as many people as possible, and will continue in this effort.
We also want you all to know, that Mum's priority was to have a 'celebration of her life' and therefore we know that she would have liked it very much if we all prioritised the 'celebration' event over and above the funeral. Details below.
In true Bernice spirit, everyone is welcome.
As a final note on Mum's Last Wishes, she says and I quote... 'I have attached a favourite recipe just for fun: So you could cook this meal (or just get a takeaway) and share it and say Good Bye. Be Happy Guys, BYE!!'
If you can or cannot make the celebration of Mum's life or the funeral please do make yourself some crispy duck pancakes to remember Bernice.
Join Us to celebrate Mum's life.
The commemoration of Bernice's life will take place at The Old Moothouse Bistro in Castle Hedingham. Every one is welcome, and their doors will be open to us from 1.30pm on the 18th January, following the funeral service. We will raise a glass and toast Mum with champagne and hopefully some decent nibbles. I am assured the food is good and will be plentiful. Fingers crossed! We've tried hard to not get this bit wrong ;-)
No RSVP is required. Everyone is welcome. However, we would really appreciate it, if you could let us know if you intend to come so we can get an idea of numbers beforehand by emailing henry@lewington.im .
Old Moothouse Bistro
1 St James's St,
Castle Hedingham,
CO9 3EJ
henry@lewington.im
Funeral Info
A Cremation service will be held at the Three Counties Crematorium on the 18th January at 12.30pm
Traditional black attire is not required. Please wear whatever you feel comfortable in, in fact, the brighter the better.
Mum loved flowers and you are welcome to bring some to the funeral. However, she also abhorred waste and so if you do want to bring flowers keep them to a minimum and make a donation to a charity of your choice.
Three Counties Crematorium, Halstead Road
High Garrett
Braintree
Essex
CM7 5PBE
henry@lewington.im
