An Address At The Funeral Service Of Ceri Cook

PSALM 21

Ceri had asked that this Psalm be read at her Funeral Service and I can certainly see why,

It points to a deep trusting relationship with God.

A realisation that all that is good has its source in Him.

Strength. Life. Blessing and Victory.

Everything that an Old Testament King could hope for.

Everything that someone like Ceri could hope for as she sought to live her life in a Christian way.

Touching the lives of family, friends and colleagues with those firm principles of caring, serving, selfless love that she found in Christ.

You see roots meant a great deal to Ceri.

Her faith. Her family. Her country – and her country was Wales.

She was born at St Brides Major near Bridgend in Glamorgan.

An only child brought up in a loving family which nevertheless set strict rules on behaviour, dress and upbringing.

She was sent to boarding school an experience she didn’t wholly enjoy, but her heart became quickly set on a career in nursing. Her training was delayed by the onset of war but she eventually qualified and to begin with worked in Bath. This was a location that was expected to be safe from bombing, but this was not the case and the injuries of the servicemen she treated, mad a lasting impression. Always one to speak her mind, Ceri caused consternation amongst the ranks when she admitted that she couldn’t stand Vera Lynn.

After the war, she trained as a physiotherapist in Birmingham and eventually took a job at  Ebbw Vale. It was here that she met Walter who was an engineer at the steel works. They first met at the works club which was the social centre of the town.

 They married and set up home almost in touching distance from the hospital where Ceri worked and the steelworks too and within earshot of the clanging bell of Christ Church which meant it was all very convenient but all very noisy too. Walter and Ceri moved to a brand new house when Ceri was 7 months pregnant. They moved in before everything was finished – but the work was completed in double quick time, the workers being petrified that they would have to deliver the baby, if they were still on site.

The birth of Robert meant that Ceri now became a full time Mother but she also began to spread her wings into social activities – her church, the Mothers Union, the Womens Institute.  Sue was born three years later and had to spend much of her first 4 years in hospital due to a congenital dislocated hip. These were days when Ceri gave unstintingly of her love to her nearest and dearest ones.

She was always an encourager of her children. They always knew they were loved.  She could be ready with a word of advice when needed or if necessary a sharp dose of common sense. Wanting the best for them and for Walter too and in 1967 this meant a move away from Wales to Redhill as Walter began a new career in consultant engineering.

Redhill, so different from those valleys.

A new life in Surrey was lonely to begin with.

Ceri was amused by the way we made a fuss about the weather.

What she would call a light flurry of snow – we would say was a blizzard.

Ceri remained proud of her welsh heritage. The lilt was never lost – nor her pride in the principality.

Soon Ceri became integrated in the life of the community here.

This church, the WVRS and the Welsh Society.

When Walter retired these interests expanded further with a great love of bowling – outdoors at Churchfields and indoors and Donyings.

Ceri was a key member of the needlework group which provided all the kneelers you see in the church today. Who knows but that you may be saying your prayers on handiwork of Ceri’s

She loved the traditional worship of the Book of Common Prayer and its beautiful language meant a great deal to her and always fed her faith.

Ceri never really stopped being the nurse when the nurse was needed.

She cared for her parents in this way, juggling her time with them in Wales and the family in Redhill.  Caring too for other members of the family when they needed it. Especially close to Aunty Eva who lived with them for a while and Aunty Mag, who Ceri continued to visit throughout a long and difficult illness.

She cared for Walter as ill health started to affect him.

She showed such loyalty, patience and olve together with more of that  common sense., as she did throughout the 51 years they spent together.

The 80’s brought great pleasure when she became a proud Grandmother to four grand children. Elizabeth. Kerrie. David and Becky. She loved watching their progress and sharing her life’s experiences with them.

In these latter years, Ceri’s own health gradually worsened – but she kept as many contacts as she could.

Friends meant a great deal to her. Margaret and Jane from Maesteg days.

The annual reunion of the Friends of the Royal.

The fellow members of the clubs she attended.

Strength, life and blessing – Ceri’s life was full of the sentiments of that dearly loved Psalm of hers.

It was a Psalm that also spoke of victory and it is the promise of victory that in Christ we claim for her today.

Of life beyond this one. Of healing beyond the hurt, of joy beyond the sorrow.

She will be praying that for those of you who today feel sad and broken by her passing, that the love of God, of which she is a part, will be touched by you to lead you to find such joy in loving.