| Location | High Howdon, Wallsend, Tyne And Wear |
| Age | 78 years |
| Cause of Death | Cancer |
| Date of Birth | 6/1929 |
| Date of Death | 10/2007 |
| Visitors | 2,628 since 22/12/2007 |
| Creator |
The saying that "Only a mother could love you" says a lot, I think, about mothers. It describes a
love that is totally unselfish, totally giving, totally accepting. That's the way our mother loved
us.
Every single person born has a mother, but nobody has ever had one like ours. That is why today;
despite our sadness we are also giving thanks. Our mam was precious. Our mam really was the best.
Mam was the backbone of our family. She held us together and ruled over us like a true matriarch.
We are giving thanks for a mother who always put us first. We are giving thanks for a mother who
always loved us and showed us so in many different ways. We are giving thanks for a mother who
listened to us when we needed someone to listen. More than that though we are giving thanks for a
mother who meant something different to every member of the family.
Just as each child is different, so too is the relationship a mother has with each of her children.
Some of us are born sentimental, some reserved, some out-going. Mam always knew just what way each
one of us needed to be treated. If that meant telling us off, so be it. If that meant drinking
coffee made with gravy granules, milk and sugar then that’s what we had to do and without
complaint.
Just now we cannot see how we will manage without her. Just now the world seems a lonely place.
Today we want to cry because we have lost the one person who means something good and special in our
lives.
Nobody can ever replace her and that is why we are grieving today. As a family we have memories of
family occasions and how she laughed and enjoyed the company. As individuals we each have our own
special memories of how good she has been to us. We remember today how we made her happy and,
sometimes, how we made her sad. She, though, always forgot and forgave. We remember how proud she
was of each of us and how she could go on at length to others about how her family were head and
shoulders above the rest (in her eyes anyway). We remember how fiercely defensive she was of her
family. If anyone hurt one of us she would be there to take our side, fight our battle and protect
us.
Sometime, years from now, we may get over her loss but we will never ever forget our mam. She
believed in Heaven and there is no doubt that she is now one of the favoured ones sitting on the
right hand of the Lord, because only the best go there and she was the best of the best.
We hope she'll save some places there for the rest of us.
Norah was born in Liverpool on 13 June 1929, 2nd child of Catherine and Alexander Finlay
She had three sisters and a brother: Catherine, Patricia, Monica and Alexander.
She loved her family and was extremely proud of them all, often telling stories of their childhood
together.
She moved to the North East at the age of 2 and lived in Wallsend all her life
She met her sweetheart, Thomas William Lowe and married him at St Columba’s Church, Wallsend on
15th September 1951
Tom and Norah had four children—all girls
Pat 13 Aug 52, Norah 24 Sep 53, Susan 3 June 59 and
Sandra 4 Oct 66.
What words can describe a mother
How can we ever say
How much you meant to us
How lonesome we are today?
There are no words to describe
A mother's love it is true
Certainly there never was
As loving a mother as you.
Our tears are falling because you are gone
Leaving us here to just carry on
Missing your kiss, your gentle
embrace
Trying to fill your empty place
You're with your God and we're below
Watch over us mam 'cos we miss you so.
Norah and Tom have 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Michelle, Denise, Thomas, Steven,
Andrew, Kris, Jonathan and Anna are her grandchildren.
Gary, Michael, Steven, Stephanie, Sam, Lucas, Caitlyn Lilia and Kianna are her great grandchildren.
She possessed dignity and pride
And truly walked in beauty.
Had a kind word for everyone she knew,
taking a genuine interest in each person she encountered.
She had many friends, but no enemies.
That was grandma.
She decorated all of our lives with her beauty,
her patience, her love.
Her presence demanded respect from those around her.
She had a sense of humour
and her laughter was a joyous sound.
Her face was like an angel,
soft and beautiful.
That was grandma.
Sadly we lost our adorable mother on Tuesday 30th October 2007
The Lord came and took her by the hand.
He said to her, “Come Norah, it is time for you to rest”.
Today and everyday we celebrate the life of Norah
Her family, friends and neighbours are gathered together to give thanks for having their lives
touched by the most loving, genuine and honest
person.
Without her life will never be the same. She leaves a sad and broken husband and a devastated
family.
Her funeral service took place at Holy Cross and St Aidan’s RC Church on Thursday 8th November
2007
She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, St Peter’s Road.
The final resting place for her earthly body is close to that of her beloved
Parents.
Her beautiful soul is now with God.
Letter from Heaven
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through.
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, 'I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again,
you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on.
I need you here badly, you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.'
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years.
Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too;
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night......'My day was not in vain.'
And now I am contented....that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low;
Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street
and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go....from that body to be free.
Remember you're not going.....
you're coming here to me.
Just had to talk to you.
I picked Tony up from hospital today and all the while I was thinking about what would be going through your head now as things have turned out well. I could hear your voice in my head saying, 'Thanks be to God, Thanks be to God'. It was so clear it was as if you really were there. Mam, this has been so hard without you. Why did God take you when he knew how much we needed you? Thank you for everything you have done for us and for what you continue to do from heaven. Love you. xxxx
Just for you
I miss you so much Grandma. I know I've been miles away for years but you've always been such a big part of my life. I thought you were invincible, I could never imagine a day that you wouldn't be around. I can't express how guilty I feel for not being as close as I should have been, for not picking up the phone just to tell you I'm thinking of you and seeing if you are ok. I love you and wish I'd told you so much more often. Not a day goes by when I don't think of you. Love Denise x x x x x x
Mam
I miss you so much,
your laugh, your smile, your touch.
You always brightened my days
with all the smiles you sent my way.
I need you as my angel
to always be at my side.
I need you as my angel
to give me peace of mind.
I like to think you’re near to me
to know that you are there.
Even though I can not see you,
I feel that you are near.
Please do not forget me mam,
for you are always in my heart,
my thoughts and prayers.
I love you.
My mam
When tomorrow starts without me
And I'm not there to see
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me...
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today
While thinking of the many things
We didn't get to say...
I know how much you love me
As much as I love you
And each time that you think of me
I know you'll miss me too...
But when tomorrow starts without me
Please try to understand
That an angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand...
And said my place was ready
In heaven far above
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love...
But when I walked through heaven's gates
I felt so much at home
When god looked down and smiled at me
From his great golden throne...
He said 'This is eternity
And all I've promised you
For life on earth is past
But here it starts anew'...
'I promise no tomorrow
For today will always last
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past'...
So when tomorrow starts without me
Don't think we're far apart
For every time you think of me
I'm right here in your heart...
Proud to be a Lowe - by Steven (junior)
I have never realised until now, that I have over the years, often from afar, been witness to the most natural acts of human beauty imaginable, a beauty that couldn't be portrayed on a screen or written in a book, a beauty that can only be paid witness to in person.
Many of us charge through life without thought or understanding as to what being here should be about. Because of this we press on and occupy the most important time we have doing things we feel are essential but aren't really correctly life balanced. Then like a bolt from nowhere we are struck by a calming realisation that everything most of us all so actively seem to be searching for is already here in the people that are closest. In a time of great mourning and hurt of losing someone so dear to us I have seen such a great amount of love that we all have for our parents, siblings and partners.
To Four daughters this realisation has been second nature throughout their adult lives and the love they have shown through time, support and dedication for their parents and each other has been overwhelming and truly beautiful. I know today and every day, watching over us, is a Grandma, a Great Grandma, and a Great Great Mother who was not a person of huge wealth in terms of possessions, but was the richest woman alive in the value of what we take with us. It could only have been an amazing human being to have nurtured four baby girls to be the gorgeous, caring, giving and loving women that they are today. Tom and Norah must be the proudest of us all to have such four wonderful daughters and I know for certain that my Grandma past over in peace knowing how lucky she was.
Life: I now have that understanding and I want to say that I am proud to be from the family Lowe and would like to congratulate my Grandma and Granda for our Pat, Norah, Susan and Sandra.
Written by Steven Robinson (Junior)
So, so sorry for your loss
Dear Pat - please let me pass on my deepest sympathies for the loss of your lovely mum Norah. I was moved to tears when I read your eulogy - your mum would have been so proud of you. I lost my mum a year ago and know only too well the pain, the depth of that pain and the depth of that loss. Not a day goes by that you don't miss your lovely mum .... but slowly and surely - you allow the fun things slip in, you hear your mum's sensible advice and you feel her love wrapping around you again.
No words bring any comfort - but the loving, warm, fun and wonderful memories that your lovely mum left behind live on in your heart forever - your mum will never really leave you. You miss her physical presence but the love she left behind was so strong - nothing will separate that from you.
God will cherish your lovely mum and keep her safe for you. God bless.
Death is nothing at all - By Canon Henry Scott Oliver
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again
Mam
You were my mother and my friend,
Which was unusual.
Somehow our characters still blend:
Your wisdom and my will.
I turned, and you were there for me;
I spoke, you understood.
I felt cared for, but also free;
You loved, and I was good.
I'm fortunate that I was born
To someone just like you;
I love you still. Though you are gone,
You live in what I do.
Favourite verse
She was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
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