Our mum was a very special person, and a wonderful mum.  She raised us to be independent, friendly, kind, thoughtful, open minded and curious about the world.  She really led by example as she exhibited these qualities in all aspects of her life. 
 
She really loved being a mother and grandmother.  She encouraged us to be interested in music, books, drama, history, nature, culture, and the world.  Some of my earliest memories are of going to London or Birmingham to watch musicals or visit museums like the Black Country Museum, Science Museum, Natural History Museum.  She always had a book on the go and every time we talked, we would share the books we were reading with our book clubs.  I have great memories of going on weekend trips to National Trust properties, botanical gardens, and historic places like Warwick Castle or Stratford on Avon.  Jane and I have many happy memories of spending holidays in Newton by the Sea, where we would take boat trips to the Farne Islands and Holy Island to see the puffins, cormorants, and other sea birds.  We enjoyed spending time together walking along the coastal path from Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle, visiting Seahouses for fish and chips, swimming in the (cold) North Sea, and visiting Alnwick Castle.  
 
She enthusiastically supported us in all of our interests, driving us to swimming, Brownies, orchestra practice, drama clubs, Duke of Edinburgh’s award, and other activities.  She was always willing to help a friend or a cause she felt passionate about.  I remember she went out of her way to pick up one of our friends whose mum did not have a car so she could join us for Duke of Edinburgh’s award meetings at school.  She was always so kind to our friends (and their families too), in each stage of our life, whether it was Primary School, Secondary School, Halesowen College, University, and beyond.  Her kindness and friendly nature are why she was loved by us and so many of her dear friends throughout her life.  
 
She threw herself into helping other parents of multiples by volunteering, first with her local twins club and then with the national organization, TAMBA (now Twins Trust), and then becoming chair of the organization for a while.  She made lots of great friends during her time volunteering for TAMBA.  We visited many parts of the UK for TAMBA conferences and meetings, where the children would all play with each other while the parents met for the conference.  I remember how excited she was to visit the House of Lords for TAMBA’s anniversary celebration and catch up with a lot of her friends.  Her caring volunteer spirit and passion for serving others is a value that she instilled in us from a young age, and Jane and I will continue her legacy through our own volunteer efforts.    
 
She loved music and she passed that love onto us. Jane and I loved to look through her record collection, including The Beatles, Elton John, Kate Bush, Abba, Dusty Springfield, and the Motown classics.  I remember listening to music on road trips in the car where we would all sing along.  She and our dad saw The Beatles in the early 1960s.  She also saw Elton John multiple times.  
 
I enjoyed hearing her stories of her visit to Japan with TAMBA, and later her visits to Germany and other places with her quilting groups.  She encouraged us to be interested in travel and learning about other cultures and people.  We always sent each other postcards when we went on trips (or sometimes just to share a story or life update).  
 
I know she made many friends though her love of quilting and traveling the country to visit quilt exhibitions.  She was so talented at quilting, and I (and many others) have so many wonderful examples of her talent on my walls, beds, sofas all around my house.  My friend Lucy still cherishes the quilt that mum made for her first child, Edward (now in secondary school), when he was born.   
 
I was happy she could come to visit me in Tennessee for my law school graduation.  I have fond memories of taking her to the Smoky Mountains and as we entered the National Park, a baby black bear ran across the road in front of the car.  We also spent a lovely day in Asheville, North Carolina, walking around the shops and cafes.      
 
I know she was so happy living in Amersham close to Jane, Tim, and Molly.  I am so glad she got to spend a lot of quality time with them after moving to Kings Lodge.  I know Molly loved going over to Granny Mary’s because she always had some special biscuits or treats for her!  I am glad I got to visit her flat at Kings Lodge and see her so happy living in Amersham and being close to Jane and her family.  She quickly made new friends at Kings Lodge and became a valuable part of the community there, helping to host the film night and joining a book club.   
 
I know we all cherish the special memories of Christmases spent together at Pat and Richard’s house in Halesowen or at the Chalet, especially after Molly was born.  I am so happy that Mary got to be a grandmother to Molly and share with her some of the love that she shared with us.  
 
She was so proud of, and supportive of, Jane and I for everything we achieved in our lives.  I think she knew that we were so proud to call her our mum.  She showed us how to be strong and independent, but also kind, friendly, and caring of others.