Rose Murphy was my grandmother; some of you knew her as Mum, Great Nan, Aunt Rosie, Aunt Rosebeam or simply as Rose. To myself and her other grandchildren she was simply Nan, she was an incredible women who loved her family.

Our Nan Rose was born on 1^st April 1941 to John and Sarah Anderson, the youngest of their 4 children. She grew up in Muswell Mill and attended Sir Roger Cholmley's free school, where she met her childhood sweetheart, our granddad David Murphy. On 21^st January 1961, Nan and Granddad married in Highgate, with my Nan wearing her famous blue wedding dress. In 1964, Rose completed her nursing course at University College Hospital and was so happy to begin her nursing career at the Whittington Hospital where she worked for over 30 years. She absolutely adored being nurse; my Nan loved nothing more than to care for people and spent her whole life loving and caring for others.

Not long after Nan and granddad were married, in 1962 they were blessed with birth of my Mum Annie with Uncle William following quickly after. In 1979, the whole family moved to the quieter surroundings of Finchley where we have so many loving memories of this time in our grandmother’s life.

Our Nan loved being around her family, she thrived during family gatherings- especially Christmas and New Years. Nan and granddad always threw the best New Years Eve parties filled with the sounds of Elvis and Diana Ross. Nan would dance to ‘Chain Reaction’ whilst granddad would serenade with the ‘Wonder of You’. I can remember my Nan and granddad’s house being the place to be. There were many times as a child when my cousins and I would refuse to go home! Her wonderfully generous, kind, caring and friendly nature meant our Nan’s house was never quiet; everyone was welcome to come and enjoy a cup of tea with a good gossip. My sisters, cousins and I fondly remember Nanny Rose’s Sunday roast which was always followed by a huge table of cakes! Saturday night ‘eats’ was definitely a highlight, Great Aunt Maggie would prepare a range of nibbles including Nan and granddad’s favourite prawn vol au vents and a good crispy sausage roll. We would devour the evening treats, whilst Aunt Maggie enjoyed a good Gin and Nan a vodka and coke.

Nanny Rose had so much love for us all, she adored all of her grandchildren, when we entered a room she would light up and her caring she would sing the same song to each us- ‘diddly, diddly, dee’- her favourite soothing song. We still sing and hum this tune to our children.

Nan always had interesting taste in pet names; my mum and Uncle recall her cat ‘Harvey wallbanger’ who was affectionately named after Nan’s favourite drink. Apparently Harvey wallbanger was infamous for actually banging into walls! Our family enjoyed so many wonderful holidays away at the seaside, visiting Great Yarmouth, Cornwall and Clacton on Sea. These trips away were a personal highlight of my childhood, being able to spend quality with my family.

After many years of dedicated service, Nan quickly from nursing role at Whittington hospital and lived the next 10 years alongside her sister Aunt Maggie, granddad, her daughter Maggie and son in law Dave. One day randomly, Nanny Rose decided to buy a caravan in Clacton. As a family we would spend every summer there, with all their grandchildren together. She would spoil us with sweets, games at arcade and trips down to the pier and beach. She always insisted our first night stay started with a fish and chip dinner. My sisters and I have many happy memories of our ‘chats’ with Nanny Rose in the kitchen; she always told the best stories, including the time she was mistaken for a young Judy Dench!

Our Nan was incredibly superstitious, believing you should never put new shoes on the table and as the clock strikes midnight, you had open the back and front door to let the old year out and the New Year in. That is something I still do today. During these years, we have fond memories of our Nanny Rose and Aunt Maggie together. But these are the times where Nan’s dementia begun to affect her. Very quickly, Nan’s health and memory began to deteriorate. Over 10 years, our Nan fought hard against her illness, constantly demonstrating her strength and force for life. Nan spent the last 7 years of her life within care homes and finally settled at the Swan Town nursing home in London, where she peacefully passed away with her family at her side.

Nanny Rose was an incredibly strong women, she showed such courage throughout the final years of her life. We are so proud of her strength and bravery against such a devastating disease. We will all have our own personal memories of Nan and I know each and every one of us will miss her. So through our tears and sadness, I want you all to remember Nanny Rose for who she was; the kind, caring and loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother. We must all remember she is now at peace, reunited with all the other loved ones we have lost.