Firstly our sincere sympathy to Nick John Matthew and their families.

I met Elspeth in 1964 when she and her Mum Fiona visited ChCh.

They stayed next door to my Aunt and Uncle and soon became great friends and part of our kiwi family.

Everyone that met Elspeth fell in love with this beautiful vivacious young lady and to me as an 11 year old she was my heroine.

It was not until 1976 that I ventured to London for my OE (overseas experience) that I was to touch base with Elspeth  again.

We had always stayed in touch by letter wrting though.

She was now married with a young family and she was only too happy for me to stay unitl I found a flat.

Nohing was ever a problem and she was an amazing listener and support.

I often visted the family at East Finclhely on a Sunday and I can always remember one occasion when we walked at Hampstead Heath and Nicholas went missing.

Elspeth got the giggles while the rest of us panicked as she happiy held John’s  hand and pushed Mathhew in the buggy. She knew Nick would eventually come running up to us which he did.

I also have vivid memories of spending Easter Sunday with the family and I was intrigued at the effort she put into the Easter Egg hunt for the boys.

This tradition.I continued with my daughteri in NZ.

I felt very priveleged to be invited by Elapeth to house sit while the family spent their summer holidays in Samos.

To me having the East Finchley home for a month or so and escape from our crazy flat was like living in total luxury.

Elspeth only ever asked me to promise her one thing and that ws if I ever married and had children could she be a god moather.

Well I returned to NZ in 1979 and married in 1983.

In 1985 we welcomed our daughter Olivia and I kept to my promise and Olivia was belssed with the best godmother anyone coud wish for.

She was always so thoughtful and to this day I use toys she sent out to Olivia with friends grandchildren that visit.

We were very fortunate in viting Elspeth in London and she always had planned some amaing adventures and shows to attend.

As a family we felt extremely priviledged to be invited to Matthew and Jemma’s wedding in Samos.

After all these years of hearing about Samos we finally visited this beautiful island where Elspeth too had been married.

Elspeth visited us in NZ in 2004 and we were fortunate in visiting her on numerous occasions.

Brian and I last visited Elspeth  was 2016 and we spent a magical day at Kew Gardens.

Elspeth had an incredible sense of humour and was such an inspiration to me and my family.

Nick John and Matthew you had an amazing Mum who adored you and was so proud of her beautiful daughter in laws and grandchildren.

We will never forget her.