The obituary notice of Valerie Rose GROVE (NÉE AINGE)

This is the message that I would hope I would never have to write and I am deeply saddened to be writing it.
I know you disliked the term Auntie Valerie and would often berate me for using that term or introducing you to new friends and people. But you are much more than an Aunt to me. Besides Ann is Australia, I had known you the longest in our Family and I know you were there for many milestones in my life. Losing you has left a space no one else can fill and we carry your light forward in every act of kindness we do .Rest in peace, beautiful soul. Your journey on earth has ended, but your story lives on in everyone who loved you.


You instilled in me a great love of poetry and so I dedicate this one to you as it has elements of your favourite, Remember Me When I am Gone Away.
She Is Gone
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Love Michael,Shiho and Mai.

Sending lots of love and big hugs at this sad time to the lovely Grove clan x x

Thank you Val for welcoming me into your lovely family and for looking after Nige, Mike and that branch of the family so diligently. You were a very special woman. The world feels a lesser place without you.