Debbie came into our lives in 1978, when, as a newly married couple Tish and I moved to Cranbrook. Debbie’s mum and dad, Don and Daphne, had a huge impact on us as we adjusted to married life and Debbie, Duncan and Donna had little choice other than to see us as extended family.  In fact, I am sure we spent more time at their house than we did our own. We were part of the family. 

We had so many happy memories from that time and just to mention one that came to mind last week when we were making jam.  I am sure Don, Duncan and Donna will remember many weekday evenings in the summer when we would walk to the local farm and pick strawberries and come home and on the same evening make jam.  Do you remember the famous freezer jam?

Debbie soon became part of our everyday lives.  

As you know Debbie loved all kinds of sport, but especially her netball.  Don, a keen sports’ lover himself, would take Debbie all over Kent to take part in her matches. I would be deputy chauffeur when Don was working, and I loved watching Debbie play and we were all very proud of her sporting prowess.

It was around this time that Debbie affectionately began to call me a Ralphie, a term that only she and Daphne used throughout the years. Grace has informed me that I will always be Ralphie to the Kendalls.

Although we only lived in Cranbrook for a couple for years our relationship was very close and when we moved back up to Yorkshire Debbie came to stay on a number of occasions.  Her visits spanned the birth of our two daughters, Elisa and Naomi, and so began the intergenerational relationships that have continued until today, with our daughters, their partners and our grandchildren.
On one occasion, Debbie experienced the fun of babies’ nappies, I won’t go into detail, but it was significant enough that it was mentioned on many occasions in all the years afterwards.

Debbie’s visits often included deprived sleep as she and I would stay up through the night watching athletic events such as coverage of the 1984 Olympics (Seb Coe, Daly Thompson, Tessa Sanderson, bringing home the athletics gold medals)

It was a great pleasure to welcome Tony on one of these trips up north, when Debbie had insisted, he had to meet the Barkers.  Tony will remember dealing with a damaged car when horses in an adjacent field knocked over a dry-stone wall onto the vehicle.

I don’t know what Tony made of us, as I think our family life was full on by that stage. We loved Tony from the start and there another special person was added to our family.  As that is what Debbie had become over the years.  Part of our family.

We were thrilled when Debbie and Tony asked Elisa and Naomi to be bridesmaids at their wedding.  Then as time went on and our girls got married, the Kendalls were there at both their weddings.

Debbie, always full of fun, a cheeky smile, a twinkle in her eye always managed to spark a sense of reality.  Despite the fact that our conversations always contained a healthy amount of banter, she was the person I would open up to in times of stress. 

Tish has a lovely memory from last summer when she and Debbie spent a precious weekend together.  They reminisced and talked and talked about anything and everything.  During the last year they were both so thankful of that weekend together.

Everyone here has their fond memories of Debbie.  Thank you, Tony, George and Grace for asking  us to share some of ours with you all.  It is a privilege.

We see Debbie as a golden thread weaving its way through our family life.  Debbie will always be part of our lives and part of our family.  We loved her.