Martin’s Tribute
Thank you for being here. Eleanor would be so pleased to see so many of you.
The birth of a child is the most joyous event in most peoples’ lives. And so it was on 27th July 1985 Eleanor popped into the world, our first child and the extended family’s first granddaughter.
We always knew she was special – some have described her as unique. She didn’t follow the crowd, had her own perspective on things and was a master at being different, defying convention and tradition.  And you will see we’ve held true to this ethos by this event today. I hope she approves.
I called her Piglet. As a child her pasty chubby face reminded me of the Winnie the Pooh character. She loved those stories and the name stuck.
For those of you who hadn’t seen her for some time I’ll try to summarise her.
She could be determined in some of the important things in life like getting her nails done – and deciding the colour of the week for her hair. Bills and daily drudgery - couldn’t be bothered.
She was a voracious reader. In early years she would take herself off with a book, content with her own company. Her reading ability as a child was way above average and developed into an ability to speed read. Buying her books was exasperating – a typical novel was done and dusted in 4 hours and she would give you a detailed storyline as well as any typos in the text. Quite remarkable. Our loft has more books than Paignton library. I have no doubt her reading lead her to become very articulate. She could argue black is white and win the argument!
When she had the opportunity to trek across Thailand on a World Challenge expedition as a 15 year old she jumped at it and persevered as every other class member dropped out one by one. We have a lovely press picture of a smart Eleanor pre trek. We hardly recognised her on her return some weeks later – donning dreadlocks and badly in need of a hot bath.
She was passionate about the performing arts and one of her most joyful times was playing Miss Lynch in a performance of Grease in the 6th form at Churston Grammar. We have wonderful memories of the annual Christmas shows she would put on at home, directing Greg in his starring role. Her writing and poetry won her many an accolade and even free tickets to the theatre!  
Despite a lack of self-confidence she had a sharp wit and in a familiar environment was very funny and a great mimic, delivering deadly one liners that had us in stitches. We always said she could have been in stand up. She was open to new experiences – some of which I’m sure we don’t know about and don’t want to know. She was a regular at the Karaoke nights in her student days and won top spot on more than one occasion. She even tried her hand as a backing singer in her boyfriend’s band – eloquently named Luddite Bastard! They are on Spotify if you’re interested.
As she got older she developed an on line presence and true to her character became involved in fora and podcasts dedicated to helping others. The extent of her involvement is now clear from the numerous tributes Greg and Charlie have found on social media. A generous soul called Brian from the USA has arranged for the planting of 10 trees in a wood at Loddiswell in honour of Eleanor and her contribution to an on line forum. Thank you Brian if you’re out there in Zoomland.
We will miss Eleanor for her legendary eclectic and colourful dress sense, baggy rainbow trousers, Pokemon T shirts, assorted hats and denim jacket with all of her precious badges.
On a serious note she was strong in so many ways. Her health was never robust and her cystic fibrosis often caused complications. She was no stranger to hospital but even in the last few weeks of her life she never complained. Despite her health she kept her wicked sense of humour – a gift that the nurses, doctors and staff loved her for and for which she will always be remembered.
Eleanor could be quite intolerant too of some of the hospital food labelling anything green or red as ‘salady crap’. As a child I recall a Mc Donalds burger taking flight from the back seat of the car when she found that someone had had the temerity to include a slice of gherkin in it. Unforgiveable.
 She dearly loved her little nephews Pascoe and Gene 5 and 3. Her creative skills shone through when she would make up incredible stories captivating their attention, just as she did when she was a young girl sat in the back of the car with little brother Greg.
I could go on but I hope you have an idea of the person she was.
We will miss her terribly for everything that she was. She leaves a big hole in our lives.
Rest in peace, Piglet.