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Barbara Hilton

(18th September 1931 - 18th February 2021)

Mum didn’t have a conventional childhood but we loved the occasional stories she would let slip. Like walking in Hyde Park with her pet monkey on her shoulder. Her love of ballet (a potential career as a dancer was dashed when she grew too tall). Modelling fur coats up and down Regent Street. The many, many animals she loved and nurtured – really she should have been a vet.  Mum enjoyed a long career in fashion retail starting off behind the scenes (not allowed to serve a customer for two years) and working her way up to buyer.  Then, stories of buying trips to London, staying at the Dorchester to watch the fashion shows.

Mum gave up work when she married and had children. She was devoted to Bob and they were married for over 50 years. They had Patricia and Antony and provided them with a loving and pretty idyllic childhood with most importantly, the security that she had not enjoyed. Living first in Bramhall and then Cheadle Hulme Bob and Barbara (or B&B as they were known) threw great parties and wined and dined family and friends on home grown produce and home brewed beer and wine. During this time, Mum also owned and ran two dress shops, ably assisted by Dad. She was, quite simply, the best Mum you could ever ask for.

Mum and Dad retired to Orleton in Shropshire where in typical fashion they threw themselves into village life. They joined the gardening club, ran the friendship club, were active members of the PCC. Mum did the church flowers – they even got into bowling. They remodelled the garden and showed it off on open garden days. The grandchildren remember fondly the smell of Mum’s fridge and pantry, picking fruit in the garden, playing games on the lawn and running across the fields at the back of the house to the swings. At every point of her life Mum made friends.

The last 7 1/2 years Mum has lived in Hinchley Wood. Again, she became completely involved in the community at Gibson Court, making friends along the way. She was on the committee, active in the WRVS, played in the scrabble club, drove a group of ladies out to lunch every month and to church weekly. Even during the pandemic, she organised ‘happy time’ for a group of friends to enjoy a drink and test each other with quiz questions. As Mum’s health declined, she did not complain or moan. In fact she loved her little red wheel chair and Trish was forever asking her to slow it down as she bashed another dent in the skirting board proclaiming that she was a better driver now!

The last 3 ½ years Barbara has been cared for, predominantly by Kelly who became Mum’s closest friend and was with her at the end. The ultimate act of love and friendship I think.   

Charity Donation In Memory of Barbara Hilton

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A Few Kind Words...

“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

“We just wanted to say a huge thank you for everything you did for us. You certainly made a very emotional and difficult time so much easier to bear. We are so grateful for the support you gave us and your gentle guidance along the way. Everything was perfect thanks to you and we would highly recommend you to all. With very best wishes.”

Family of Stanley Stearman

Dear Cindy,

I just wanted to say thank you for yesterday and please thank all the gentlemen who helped us. Everything ran very smoothly and they were excellent.

I was also very happy with the service booklet and photographs.

Lyla

“Just a note to say a huge thank you to yourself and the wonderful team at Send Greenwoods, they took care of us all yesterday at Les Ingram’s funeral. I’ve really valued your help and support over the last few weeks and the wonderful men yesterday went beyond their ‘call of duty’. They were certainly there at our great time of need. Please pass on my thanks to everyone. I also enclose four more donations. Many thanks again.”

Judith Hookins

“The family would like to thank you and the whole team at Greenwood’s for your warm and professional service. We were delighted with your attention to detail and the relaxed but respectful manner of the Attendant and Bearers on the day itself. Many of our friends commented on the ‘dignity with lightness of touch’ and said it was one of the best-organised funerals they had attended. It was certainly a very different experience from my father’s funeral twelve years ago, and we shall recommend you wholeheartedly to others.”

Carole Day and Family

“I just wanted to drop you a line to say a massive thank you for everything you have done over the last two weeks. When I walked into Alan Greenwood’s on the 5th November I didn’t know where or how I was going to organise my lovely Mum’s funeral and the thought of it horrified me, you made a daunting job so much easier and were there to guide me all the way until the day of the funeral.”

I can’t thank you enough for your kind words, thoughts and help during this very difficult time. Losing someone as precious as mum is very hard but you helped so much. Thank you for everything you have done for mum, myself and my family.”

Sue, Mundy, Luke and Faye

Dear Chloe,

We just wanted to all thank you and the rest of Alan Greenwood team for providing excellent service for organising and conducting our mother’s funeral – The day went perfectly.

Mike

“Dear Beth,

Just a short note from all of us to say “Thank You” for all the effort that you applied to ensure that Sarah’s funeral passed so seamlessly.

If it can be described as a “Great Day” (which I know will sound odd) I mean it purely in terms of the balance between sadness and celebration was met – that also the weather was perfect, the co-ordination between service and committal was excellent, the flowers so beautiful and everyone played their part so well. It was largely down to you that it did work so well.

So a “Big Thank You”

Barry, Jemma, Matthew, Josie and William

“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

“Dear Judy,

Thank you for all your hard work and great communication for the arrangement of mum’s funeral. Even though the restrictions limited certain things, everything ran so smoothly. We were able to celebrate mum’s life with a lovely service and great help from you and all at Alan Greenwood funeral services on the day.”

Yvonne and Peter Richardson

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