Eulogy for Bridie Farrell 12th February 2024 Mum… Bridie, wife, daughter, sister, aunty, cousin, nanny and friend. Oh, and not forgetting M&S’s long standing, secret share holder! I grew up thinking that everyone shopped in M&S! Mum was a courageous, sharp witted, strong willed and caring woman. She was selfless, always putting everyone else first. Mum showed her love through acts of service. Mum and dad moved many times, usually following whichever one of us had children first. Mum wanted to be around to help and see her grandchildren grow up. And what a privilege that has been for everyone. Our children adored their nanny. Her dinners were always better than ours, they loved joking and chatting with her and hearing all her funny stories. Mum never did make the move back to London, sorry Shirl! But Stanley most certainly didn’t miss out! Mum was a great friend to many over the years even when she was battling her own health challenges. When mum was well, she would spend many an evening with a lady called Roma in the communal lounge, who lived on her own. Mum loved Elsie, her neighbours’ visits when she was unable to venture out. Mum always made sure we had what we needed and more. She loved to shop, and my most vivid memories are spending Saturdays with her and Aunty Anne clothes shopping in London. Mum always had an eye for nice things (or should I say, expensive things! Poor dad !!) If you ever visited mum in her home, you would be greeted with a sandwich and a cup of tea even if you didn’t want one. The wise amongst us knew to eat and drink whatever came your way! Anyone who was lucky enough to arrive at dinner time always commented on what a great cook she was. My aunty Anne said, ‘she would lay a table good enough for a pope’. Mums housekeeping was second to none. A place for absolutely everything. She always saved those things that you always needed but could never find in your own house! Family meant everything to mum and not just her own. Growing up, our house was filled with aunties, uncles, cousins. And others, that for years, I thought were my uncle and aunties! Who knows who they were! It didn’t matter what time you turned up you would be offered a seat and food! Mum loved the ‘craic.’ For the English amongst us I am referring to The Irish ‘craic,’ not the other kind! Our Summers growing up in Ireland with family are treasured memories. Mum secretly liked those that didn’t fall at the first hurdle of her sharp wit and could give as good as they got. But you would only really understand this if you didn’t take her ‘telling offs’ personally! Mum had a way with words …. If you were a man, it didn’t really matter what your name was as she called most men ‘Fred’ For years I thought my uncle Johnny’s name was Fred! I never did find out the reason for this! But I have a feeling it was saved for those that she had a secret soft spot for! If you were ever on the receiving end of being told to: ‘Get lost, Feck off or Get out of here’ you hopefully knew it was, a term of endearment! Mum might not have had the upbringing and education she would have liked but it most certainly taught her how to be resilient in-the face of adversity. Her saving grace was being brought over to England by her aunty known as ‘Big Bridie’ and meeting our wonderful dad! Peggy, mum’s older sister who can’t be with us today shared with Aunty Anne what a great dancer mum was and how much she loved to dance most weekends and sometimes in the day at the ‘Garryowen’ dance hall in Hammersmith. I remember being a young girl seeing my mum and dad dance for the first time after mass at the Irish club in Croydon and thought ‘wow ‘!! Peggy also remembers my dad asking her permission to go out with my mum and Peggy said she agreed but only if my dad got her home by 11pm! I’m sure you did Dad! Mum was a fountain of all knowledge even if she did believe everything she heard on the news, the radio and, more worryingly the Sun newspaper! She had an uncanny way of knowing about everything even though she couldn’t venture out much in the latter years. You would have to be a brave man or woman to tell her any different! Luckily for us mum was fiercely independent and amazed her consultants with her grit and determination to keep going despite the odds that were stacked against her. Mum taught us how to be independent and tenacious but also how to show kindness to others no matter what! We are lucky to have had her in our lives as were all those that had the privilege of meeting her. It will be incredibly quiet without her and I’m not sure how M&S will manage now! I think this quote by the poet Thomas Campbell is something to hold onto as we say farewell. ‘To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die.’ Bridie, Mum, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Aunty, Cousin, Nanny and friend will never truly be gone as she will live in all our hearts forever

Bridie will be missed by all ... I'll always remember her saying get back here Fred if she giving out .. she was so funny at times . Condolences to all the family From Jenny (Farrell) James & Anna ,

Warm summer sun, Shine kindly here, Warm southern wind, Blow softly here. Green sod above, Lie light, lie light. Good night, dear heart, Good night, good night.