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Derek Ian Spencer

(17th April 1961 - 11th April 2025)

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Derek, who left us on 11th April 2025. A larger-than-life character with an unforgettable presence, Derek touched the hearts of everyone he met. His warmth, generosity and vibrant spirit made him truly one of a kind. Derek lived life to the fullest every single day. He was the most generous and caring man – kind hearted, honourable, thoughtful and always the gentleman. Known for his unwavering support, his resonate speeches and his ability to make others feel seen and valued, Derek had a gift for bringing people together and lifting them up. To know Derek was to love him and his loss leaves a huge hole in the lives of all who were lucky enough to share in his journey. He will be missed enormously, but his legacy of love, laughter and strength will live on in the hearts of his family and friends.

Family flowers only, please.

Donations in memory of Derek may be made payable to The Royal British Legion or Breast Cancer Now.

Charity Donation In Memory of Derek Ian Spencer

Donate to The Royal British Legion

You can choose to make your donation amount private, if you wish.

The Royal British Legion Donations

Vincent and David

Generous, funny, tolerant, and champion of the underdog; Derek was unique. His passing leaves a massive void in our hearts yet filled with memories of the wonderful times and friendship we shared. xx

£100.00 + £25.00 Gift Aid

Pippa, Rich, Sadie + Emilia

A true legend...

£25.00 + £6.25 Gift Aid

Mick, Caroline & family

£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid

Anonymous

£10.00 + £2.50 Gift Aid

Hughes family

Forever in our hearts 💔

£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid

Charity Donation In Memory of Derek Ian Spencer

Donate to Breast Cancer Now

You can choose to make your donation amount private, if you wish.

Breast Cancer Now Donations

Helen K Cavanagh

A lovely man whose tribute was so wonderful and fitting of his love for his family and life. Thank you for including us. RIP and I will see your vape when a cloud wisps past. All my love Helen

£25.00 + £6.25 Gift Aid

Loneda & Merton Team

In loving memory - you will never be forgotten.💔

£30.00 + £7.50 Gift Aid

Pippa, Rich, Sadie + Emilia

A true legend…

£25.00 + £6.25 Gift Aid

Sally Craig

Derek, you will be sorely missed. May you fly with the angels.

£20.00 + £5.00 Gift Aid

Maroulla & Robert

Derek you were one of a kind. I'm so lucky to have worked with you all those years. 💔. Cheers Darling 🥂 RIP ❤️

£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid

Donna Gleek

In memory of the most inimitable man I've ever met, your kindness and friendship will never be forgotten Derek. Hope heaven is rocking to your rendition of The Wonder of You!! You will be so missed ❤️

£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid

Jayne Miller

Derek RIP 💕

£10.00 + £2.50 Gift Aid

Hughes family

Always in our hearts 💔

£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid

Obituary

The Royal British Legion

£235.00 + Gift Aid of £58.75

In partnership with JustGiving

Breast Cancer Now

£260.00 + Gift Aid of £65.00

In partnership with JustGiving

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A Few Kind Words...

“Dear Donna,

Just a little something to say thank you very much for all of your kind support during a very difficult time.

You really went above and beyond to help us and it was truly appreciated.

Thank you for helping us organise such a personal and fitting service for Margaret and everything else that you did for us.”

Bill, Sandra, Vicki and Family

“I would like to say a big thank you for everything. I had nothing to worry about, it all went so smoothly from the day of his death to the end of the funeral and in the circumstances could not have been better. Thank you so much.

I don’t have a great deal of experience in these matters, but compared to the other funeral directors I had to deal with, Greenwoods are the tops and you personally were a pleasure to deal with, you hit absolutely the right note.”

Ann Bishop

“You make an extremely difficult time easier. Dad’s service was very fitting and I was so pleased to see him dressed in his uniform and hold his had one last time, Jess you did a lovely job. Thank you so so much.”

Clare

“Would you please pass on our thanks to the young lady who conducted the burial of Joyce Ashby last week. She was so kind to Jean my very elderly cousin especially on the ride back in the Limo taking us through Richmond Park and chatting all the way. We then went on to have a family picnic in Jean’s garden in the sunshine a lovely way to remember Joyce and the perfect day for Jean. Very many thanks from all of us in North Wales.”

Sheila, Keith & Rhoada Ashby

“I would like to say a huge thank you to both Carina at Alan Greenwood and Sons in Frimley and the Celebrant. When my mother-in-law passed, we had absolutely no idea what we were doing other than needing to contact a funeral directors. After calling, Carina invited us into the Frimley branch for an informal chat and made us feel at ease straight away. She talked us through every step whilst being compassionate, caring and professional during the whole process. It was a difficult time that was made so much easier by the way Carina and Maria handled everything. When the Celebrant contacted us we were unsure of what we wanted for the service, with his knowledge and understanding he helped us to put together a service that was both relaxed, professional and perfectly suited to us. Thank you to the whole team!”

Sarah

“Thank you for all your kind attention during the funeral of my husband John on the 24th May. The arrangements were so efficiently and sympathetically handled that it lifted a huge burden from my shoulders. I enclose a cheque in favour of the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of my beloved John.”

Catherine Waterman

Dear Mr Alan Greenwood, I cannot thank you and your team in Bookham enough, for the excellent service they provided in every respect in the Cremation of my wife.

Your resident Funeral Consultant Mary fully explained all we needed to understand and advised the options available to us.

Her in depth knowledge of all the service providers including, Order of Service, authors and print selection, Celebrant, Hall and refreshments.

So many things which without her I would have been lost.

In the past few days I have received so very many complements and praise for the service you gave.

Do please allow other potential clients to share our experience.

Yours sincerely

Terry Eves-Thorpe

Sheila Eves-Thorpe

“Dear John,

Thank you for the wonderful service, support and help you offered me and the way you looked after my partner Bob, after he passed away.

From the professionalism and courtesy your team showed on that most traumatic moment – taking Bob from our house – to your kindness, and surefooted advice, the recommendation of the Celebrant, and then your kindness in coming to the cremation as well.

It’s been the hardest month or so of my life and yet I was so pleased with how the service went, the wonderful order of service you arranged and helped me with and of course the music as well. Throughout it all you treated me with respect, dignity and gave me such helpful advice. I’m not sure I would have managed well without that. Even more, I can now look back and reflect that the day went well and represented my partner and our love so well.

I think it’s important to thank people when they have done such a great job.”

Douglas

“Thank you so much for the care you took of mum and help and kindness you showed us making a very sad time so much easier to bear. With very best wishes and a very big thank you.”

Claire, David & Pia Stevens

“I cannot believe that a month has passed since we first met, the day after Brian died. Within a short time of our encounter, I know that an occasion I had always dreaded would be transformed into a positive, memorable occasion – and so it was!

Your warm and practical attitude, as well as highly professional advice, immediately instils confidence. Every detail of the proceedings is meticulously explained and I felt completely relaxed. Thank you Jess for making everything work so well. You are a remarkable lady with a definite vocation and I wish you all the very best for the future. I felt I found a real, new friend, just when I needed it most.”

Irene

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