My Mum was born on the 29th May 1930, to Douglas and Gladys Beech. After leaving school, she trained at Warrington General Infirmary, qualifying as a S.R.N. and became a ward sister. She left Warrington to become a nursing sister at the John Summers Steel Works, Shotton, where she met my Dad, Ted. They were engaged on a holiday to Jersey, in 1956, and married a year later on 31st August 1957, at St Marks Church. Saltney. They bought a house in Queensway, Shotton, were they lived for all of their lives. Mum left work when she had me, and stayed at home to look after her family. Mum was always there when I came home, ready with dinner. Mum was a fantastic knitter, and one of my earliest memories of her is, watching her knit away while she watched her favourite, Coronation Street. We always had a family holiday, and had some great times, both in this country, and abroad. During my teenage years, Mum returned to work, becoming a carer for adults with special needs, a perfect opportunity for her to use the special gift she had, of being so caring. The people she cared for loved her very much, Mum had a natural nuturing nature, not many could do what she did, with total dedication. My Mum loved to laugh, and I have countless treasured memories of us having a good giggle. Even when she became ill, we would sit in the hospital, while she was having chemotherapy, and find something to make us smile. Mum use to say the staff 'won't believe I have it (cancer), we will get thrown out for laughing!' When Mum and Dad retired, they spent their time at home, Mum in the garden she loved, when the weather was good, and they travelled extensively, all over the world. Mum loved to see new places. and one of her fondest memories was seeing Shamu, the killer whale, she told me she was moved to tears at the majesty of the whale, and the bond it had with the trainer. Mum loved animals and was fond of my own dogs, particularly my first dog, a collie cross called Annie. Annie and Mum were close, and the best of friends. Mum would join me and Annie for walks on the hills near our home, and on the beach, even in the winter! We would wrap up warm and tramp along the sands, even on the coldest day, Mum loved to be by the sea, she said she could watch it for hours, it was always different. When Annie died, aged seventeen, Mum was heartbroken, and although I have gone on to have other dogs, Annie always held a special place in Mum's heart, she told me she liked to think Annie would look after me, when she couldn't, I had left home at this time