Our beautiful mum, wife, sister, nana and friend Marylene sadly passed away on February 2nd, 2021.

After a lovely Christmas spent with her family, she was suddenly diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer - and after a short but brave fight, she passed away peacefully in her sleep in St. Michael’s Hospice.

When Marylene was first admitted to the hospice in mid January, she was only expected to live for a couple of days but she astonished us all. She loved the kindness shown by all the nurses and doctors - and she survived for another two weeks.

We are in no doubt that the care she received gave her this extra time. She could knit, read and watch the birds. She even enjoyed speaking French with some of the nurses - and making them laugh. They called her their inspiration. She was certainly ours. We were amazed by her courage and sense of humour.

We were with her every day - even taking her out in her wheelchair. Best of all, we had precious time to talk… about… everything.

Marylene loved books and art (we’ll include some of her own creations in the Gallery). She loved cycling and walking in the area. She loved her family. She loved her friends. She loved red wine (too much occasionally!). She was full of life.

She didn’t want a conventional funeral. In place of sending flowers, she said she would prefer it if donations were made to St. Michael’s Hospice Hereford, so that others can also receive their wonderful care.

As a family we will be able to gather in the garden she created to watch it bloom - but we also hope to invite the wider community to celebrate her life (when Covid allows) in the beauty of Symonds Yat - hopefully at the Ferrie Inn that Bob has been renovating and where the new ferry is going to be named ‘The Frog’ in Marylene’s honour!

Meanwhile, we know she would be delighted if you made a donation to the hospice. And that would be a great way to celebrate her beauty, her kindness and her love of life.

Thank you.

Milly, Bob & Sebastian