CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF GLADYS PAMELA SEYMOUR

HIGH FORCE WATERFALL, FOREST-IN-TEESDALE, CO DURHAM

10:35 am. One by one, starting with her eldest child, we scattered Mum’s ashes into the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. We cast pure pink rose petals, Mum’s favourite flower, onto the water after her ashes.

Michael recited a poem of Mum’s, found in the archive of her extensive poetry and other writing. Penned around 1976 we think. The subject of the poem was Duster, our beloved childhood family dog, for whom Michael was primary caregiver until he flew the nest. Mum always wrote in her ‘nom de plume’, Pamela Steve (shortened version of her family surname, Stephenson)

The Dog, by Pamela Steve
The dog sits at my feet
Trusting and lovingly
Waiting for me to fetch her lead
And go out for the last time today.
You poor dumb thing
Depending on me
For all your wants and affection
Secure in the knowledge, you are loved.
Did your ancestors once roam free
Catching their own food
Not needing man, his towns and factories
Destined to process tinned meat for you.
Do you know, as you lie there
Of all these things
Or do you not think of anything
Except the fact that you are here
At my feet, and I am destined
To be your mistress and provide for you.

Barbara read a beautiful haiku she had written specially for the occasion:

Nature reclaims life
May’s blossom returns to earth
We mourn our Mother

Barbara also read a poem from one of Mum’s absolute favourites, Joyce Grenfell. We all heartily agreed that the words perfectly reflected how Mum would have wanted us to live after her passing.

Death (If I Should Go) by Joyce Grenfell
If I should die before the rest of you,
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone.
Nor, when I'm gone, speak in a Sunday voice,
But be the usual selves that I have known.
Weep if you must,
Parting is hell.
But life goes on,
So........ sing as well.

We spoke of our deep love and respect for her. The overriding feeling was appreciation and joy for her life, and satisfaction that we had fulfilled her final wish for her resting place. The sun burst from the clouds for a brief moment, and we all felt her smiling on us.

Helen wrote a haiku after the event, inspired by the waterfall, and the general feelings of all involved:

Closing the circle
Rock and water welcome her
She is back home now