Sorry to announce to all my friends and distant relatives that Dad died on Sunday. He was well looked after at the care home and died without pain or fear. My sister and I attended him for his final night.

Uncle Bill’s (Dad’s brother) widow, Martha, died in late October. She was a lovely, friendly woman who always made time for my incessant queries and always was positive despite her battle with Parkinson’s disease.

In February my lovely Aunt Ann, wife of Uncle Billy (Mum’s brother) succumbed to cancer. Again, she was a role model in never complaining about her situation, she would just tell you how it was in a matter of fact way.

They will all be missed.