Doreen Joyce Chard, born Doreen Joyce Crawford on April 12, 1925, one of three children born to Charles Raymond Crawford and Rita Ivy Mary Jane Doolan (Bugden) and wife to David Anthony Chard (married 1945) for near 56 years, before her death on Thursday may 31, 2001.

Mum’s life I guess can be best described as that of being a normal average married woman’s life, giving birth to three children and having a devoted husband that loved her dearly and provided for and care for the family.

Mum’s mother Rita died in 1946 after a battle with TB, when Mum was just a lass of 21 years old and because of circumstances, at the time, Mum had to care for and attend to her mother in those final months, and whilst it has never been said Dad I am sure was a great supporting shoulder for her during this period.

I was the first born in 1947 and Mum and Dad were to have a further two children, in my sisters, Debra and Fiona, born 1952 and 1957 respectively…..and as I said before we enjoyed an average way of life.

Reflecting over my past 54 years and in reflection, Mum had a hard life, and I mean in a health wise approach. One of the first to have thorium treatment, which meant for the rest of her life she had to take drugs because the gland had been killed….. and whether this contributed, her health never came back to that which one should enjoy…. and thus through the following years, troubled with complications which compounded and pulled her down health wise, but surviving and pushing on with Dad always by her side.

In later years Mum developed other problems including diabetes, kidney, liver and heart conditions but she continued on with again Dad by her side, every step, pain , aches and whilst I makes this a tribute to Mum, a great deal has to be credited to Dad in Mum's life and he being there for her in every step, pain and ache.

Why and I cannot explain, Mum and I were never, as one would say, "that" close but that does not mean that there was not a love between us and but unfortunately one that never showed its self on the surface….a situation, as I reflect upon now, I still can not fully understand.

Mum's death is real….it must come to us all…..death that is…for the moment that each of us is born…..we begin to die….but what is death…..we each have our own opinion.

Since Mum's death on Thursday last I have been confused by things that have come into my mind and things to which I have no explanation….I have the urge to visit my Mum's mothers grave and that of her grandfather….but why I do not understand……I will do this and perhaps the reason will be more clear…………

That which I do believe is that death be but a denial of those living to be able to touch….see…hug…those whom we love….and perhaps as I reflect back…Mum and I did not do as much of those things as we should have…..BUT there are a number of factors that cannot be changed.

I am thankful for Mum bringing me into this world………..

For raising me and giving me the values that I strongly believe in………..

For having the father….who without his assistance I would not be here…for his guidance throughout my up bringing from birth to adulthood.

Perhaps along the way……others elements have come into my life, which to some have altered my thinking and values…but again…the basic foundation still remains…and that be of the "family".

In 1968 I was blessed with the privilege of been able to wed Julia my wife now for 31 years and today have a daughter and grand daughter to enlighten my life and my devotion and attention is to them first and foremost….but this does not mean that I ignore from where I came……

One cannot put a price of that which Mum has given me….for Dad's part also….and that be life!

Death is only the departure from the mortal body frame in which we all exist….Mum has left this frame…but to me for as long as I have a memory…..she is alive. 

I feel a great deal of paint at this time….. because perhaps Mum and I did not openly share our love …but at the same time I feel it is a period to rejoice….for mum's pain and suffering are now past and she is at peace.

Written By David Robert Chard

Saturday 2 June, 2001