I first met Jill and Gerry when they travelled up to Edinburgh to visit James in February 2006. I was invited to have dinner with them and I was (needlessly) very nervous! James' friend Eoin Carson also came along and did his usual job of easing nerves and he also blatantly stole my limelight by charming Jill! However, I passed muster and soon became firm friends with this wonderful lady. She revelled in having a girl in the family and I was very soon made to feel part of the Hayward family. 

I have far too many memories of this amazing lady to write here. I feel privileged to have known her and I see her in my own children every day. She was so excited to meet both children as soon as they were born and she took such amazing care of me when I was pregnant. She would play for hours with both of them: she watched endless Peppa Pig and had Pokemon cards in her handbag ready to place in her recently bought card holder to show the kids.

She was the most generous, loving and fun Granny to Ruby and Freddie and a warm, kind and supportive mother-in-law. Her blue eyes and long legs live on in Ruby and Freddie as does an adventurous spirit and desire for fun.