Astrid Onyons (6 Aug 1935 - 16 Dec 2024)

In loving memory of Astrid Onyons who sadly passed away on 16th December 2024

Astrid Imelda Onyons
Aged 89, died 16th December 2024
Funeral Service at Chelmsford Crematorium
North Chapel, 23rd January, 13.00.
Family flowers only. Donations if desired to Farleigh Hospice.
c/c Danbury Co-op Funeral Directors
57A main road, Danbury, CM3 4NG Tel: +44(0)1245 221 444

Bright colours to be worn please!

The family would like to invite you for light refreshments at
The Angel, 160 Main Road, Chelmsford, CM1 7AH
where you can share fond memories of Astrid.

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Eulogy – Astrid Onyons: Final Version

It is perhaps the greatest testament to the impact Astrid had on everyone that she knew that we have had to edit down her Eulogy so dramatically – so many have stories to tell, each with their own loved and cherished memories; fitting everything into the time we have has been an extreme challenge.

Astrid was born in Norway on the 6th August 1935 to eminent and distinguished parents - her English mother, Margot Hill and her Norwegian father Halfdan Christophersen. She inherited a love of music, and many outgoing, tenacious, driven and wanderlust characteristics that have been passed down to her children, and onto their children.

Astrid and her sister June had a deep emotional connection, stemming from the loss of their mother to tuberculosis in 1945, when they were 9 and 5 respectively. This connection and closeness to June lasted for Astrid’s entire life. After completing high school, Astrid left Norway for England to improve her education. Soon after crossing the North Sea, she met Don and fell in love. Don soon became a dear family member with his outgoing personality and good sense of humour.

Astrid and Don moved from Wheathampstead to Hatfield and settled down, and Astrid would walk between the villages to see Ivy, Don’s mother, a round trip of 12 miles or so, on a regular basis. Difficult early years as a foreigner with a very Victorian Mother-in-law! David recalls Astrid working at a department store in Welwyn Garden City and Don taking him to collect her, calling out “Astrid! Come on Flo, it’s time to go!” – typical of their loving relationship.

They visited Norway annually, travelling the country, boating, swimming, chatting and socialising with locals. They even brought their sailboat over from England on one memorable occasion and enjoyed visiting the family cabin in the mountains of Valdres. Astrid and Don went on to have three children in Michael, David and Derek.

Astrid’s love of Children extended beyond her own family, hosting disadvantaged children from London during summer holidays at the family home in Fornham All-Saints, Suffolk, back in the sixties. This love also extended through her career in teaching special needs children at Woodlands School in Chelmsford, a job she found both challenging and gratifying. Never one to let obstacles hold her back, and in her own inimitable way, Astrid made headlines in the local paper when one snowy day she skied to her school in Chelmsford from her home in Broomfield. Back in the day, and before more modern winter holiday trends, this was most unusual!

Astrid also had a deep love for her 10 grandchildren and, later in her life, her great grandchildren. All of her grandchildren reflect fondly on the family caravan holidays, paddling in the sea, travelling the country.

• Gemma remembers the endless shopping trips & lunches, where she would insist on buying yet ANOTHER jumper! She remembers her long walks and pure love for nature. Playing ‘Trip Trap Troll’; Astrid would always be the troll, saying “ it’s me the troll, you’re walking on my bridge!”.
• Simon especially remembers visiting Fingle Bridge in Dartmoor & swimming in the freezing cold swimming pool! He recalls the collection of toys she kept under her green settee upstairs that came out for 3 generations of children. All still in pristine condition.
• Chris and Sarah recall some of their fondest memories being walks over the Mill bridge, the caravan holidays, and making apple crumble in the kitchen with Astrid and Don.

Family really was everything for Astrid and she revelled in spending time with her loved ones. There was never a dull moment when we were in Astrid’s presence. She was a whirlwind of sentimental family values. Everything should be photographed and treasured, regardless of how unremarkable those moments may have seemed to us at the time. This has proven to be invaluable as we reflect upon her extraordinary life.

She loved Christmas. She had an unbelievable collection of Christmas decorations. It would take a whole day to get them all out and another whole day to pack them all away again! She would play the piano every Christmas whilst family and friends stood & sang Christmas carols. All of her Children and Grandchildren recall the pantomime trips every Christmas, and the trips to midnight mass.

She also loved the Christmas parties that David & Rachael threw every year in Maldon. One year, after one or two too many red wines, Astrid started to dance, stumbled, and was caught by Darren. It became a bit of a yearly occurrence after that, Darren always had his guard up after that first year!

To her Great Grandchildren, stemming from her Great-Granddaughter Isabelle’s confusion between whether to call Astrid ‘Nanna’ or ‘Gran’, Astrid was ‘Granna’. Granna’s Great-Grandson Jake has especially fond memories of their time together. Granna and Jake both had a huge love for the program Bargain Hunt - they would kick back, relax with their lunches on their laps and watch episode after episode, trying to guess which team would win!

Astrid also carried a love for Classical music, and took great joy in playing her piano. She was thrilled when Great-Granddaughter Jessica decided to learn to play. She would listen to Jessica playing with a huge smile on her face.

Astrid was also not afraid to embrace technology, staying in touch with family who over time spread across the globe on her trusty iPad. She always made us laugh, for example not fully understanding that her Alexa speaker wasn’t an actual person. Whenever she asked Alexa to do something it would aways be followed by a please or thank you. “Alexa, turn the music off please” followed by “thank you Alexa!”.

She also had her funny moments whilst learning to drive – she originally believed that First gear only needed to be engaged when first starting the car – not realising that you needed it EVERY time you pulled away!

Astrid’s beloved Don passed in 2003, and Astrid attended grief counselling and later struck up a friendship with John, who had lost his wife. By coincidence, it happened that Dons grave and Johns wife’s grave were adjacent. They became close, and this friendship and mutual support enabled them both to further pursue their love of travel. They signed up for a classical trip by ship along the Norwegian coastline and they also made a trip to visit friends of John in Tasmania. Astrid’s brother-in-law Christian, fondly remembers John as a ‘true gentleman’.

John’s son, Stuart, remembers Astrid with great fondness, and shares his sorrow to have missed the celebration of Astrid’s life today. He has asked us to play the following short message in memory of Astrid:

[Play voice clip]

Gemma too reflects on the florists shop(!) she loved to maintain in her front room, but Astrid would always say the masses of flowers cheered her up. She was a special lady to so many people in her dignified and caring way.

Astrid suffered loss multiple times over her life, Don, John, and in 2021 her youngest son Derek, tragically lost to the Covid epidemic during lockdown. Derek had returned to the UK following relocating and settling in Australia where Astrid’s grandchildren's families remain today, Chris, great granddaughter Matilda, and Sarah. Astrid visited them in Australia and often reflected fondly about her time in the country. Carole, Derek’s wife, remembers Astrid as a kind and caring Grandmother.

As her health began to fail over more recent years, her Norwegian family had an urge to see her before she died. Hilde, and her husband Thom and her dear sister June visited her the summer of 2023. The three of them had a meaningful visit with her. Astrid and June were very close sisters.

We could go on and on with wonderful memories. However, one thing we all knew was how hilariously clumsy Astrid was! We will forever hear her voice in our minds of when she would trip over her own feet and then shout a huge “WHOOOOOOP”! Carole also remembers Astrid as the clumsiest person she ever met, if not falling over, she was breaking glasses and crockery! But that was who she was. She was one of a kind, our Granna.

Astrid leaves a legacy that will never be forgotten by her family, her sister, her 3 Children
6 Grandchildren, 10 Great Grandchildren, and her recent Great-Great granddaughter. She was a woman of grace and courage, with a stubborn streak like no other. Single minded and tenacious, her enduring wish was to end her days at home, and on her own terms. She succeeded.

Our wish is that her legacy will serve to unify family bonds: family first, always, no matter the difficulties or distances involved.

From Stuart Anderson
Eulogy Astrid
These words are spoken on behalf of Stuart, Johns son.
I am sorry to have missed this celebration of the life of Astrid. Today I am in New Dheli, India. She would have loved that as a fellow traveler.
Astrid came into my families life after they were both widowed.
From the moment they met they were completely enthused to embrace their time together. For all of their 70’s they travelled far and wide.
Enjoying their summer month in Norway rowing on the lake by the cabin they stayed in. Sailing up the Norwegian coast and celebrating the artic circle.
Travelling to Australia and Tasmania visiting family. Even enjoying afternoon tea at the prestigious Jumeirah
beech hotel in Dubai which they enthused about.
This is to name but a few of their many holidays and the zest for life they gave to each other and making this decade so special.
We enjoyed listening to their stories and it was a comfort to me that my father had someone in his life that was so good for him and they cared for each other.
I express my gratitude to Astrid for the care and love she gave to him. She nursed him through his final six months at her home and until the very end.
I continued to see Astrid when I could and as we know she loved flowers which I would dutifully take. Although her house was always like a florists which was the way she liked it.
She was a special lady to so many people in her dignified and caring way.
Thank you for giving me the chance to speak today when we remember Astrid and celebrate her long life.

From June and Christian, Oslo, Norway,

Hi David. Astrid and June had a deep emotional dilemma when their mother died in 1945 when Astrid (9) and June (5) . She died from tubercolosis after being hospitalized throughout all war years. After completing high school Astrid left for England to improve her education. Shortly after arriving she met Don and soon the two of them became a couple. She started to work with handicapped children, a job she found both challenging and gratifying. Don soon became a dear family member with his outgoing personality and good sense of humour. They visited Norway annually and made trips to Boroya, Astrid’s place of fondness close to the city of Arendal. Locally they enjoyed walking by the seaside or trips to the interior of the Island on idylli pathways. Other activities involver boating and swimming and chatting with locals. They Even brought their sailboat over from England to test it locally. They also visited our cabin up in the mountais of Valdres a 3 hours drive from Oslo. Pur daugher Kristin and husband Kjetil with their 3.children spent 2 years in England bringing them into close touch with their greater family. Shortly after Dons passing Astrid met John Anderson. He had lost his wife and by coincident it happened that Dons grave and Johns wife grave were adjacent. A conversation ensued and John and Astrid became close friends. As time went by they found they had so much in common. They both enjoyed traveling locally and internationally. They signed up for a classical trip by ship along the Norwegian coastline and they also made a trip to visit friends of John in Tasmania. As time went by it turned out that Johns health was deteriorating. Astrid cared for him in her Home until until he died with the help of a full medical team. She eased his condition as far as possible. At This stage Astrids own health was failing. We had an urge to see her before she died. Therefore Hilde and her husband Thom and myself visited her the summer of 2023. The three of us had a meaningful visit with her. Astrid and June were very close sisters. PS. Christian adds that John was truly a gentleman in every sense.

From Chris and Sarah Hill (grandchildren) Australia,

We'll always have the fondest memories of walks over the bridge, camping in the caravan, and making apple crumbles in the kitchen with you and grandad. Thank you for the love, wisdom, and the cherished memories. Much love, Sarah & Chris

From Carole Hill, currently in Australia;

Thank you for being a kind and caring grandmother to Chris and Sarah. They fondly remember their time with you and Don. I can honestly say you were the clumsiest person I have ever met,if you weren’t falling over, you successfully broke a lot of our glasses and crockery. But that’s who you were RIP until we meet again.

From Hilde Eitrem Hansen. Oslo, Norway:
Dear Aunt Astrid,

It was always a joy to have you visit us every summer in Norway. You carried a deep love for your homeland, and it was so clear how much you appreciated both the nature and the people who filled your life – friends and family, both on the Sørlandet coast, in the mountains, and in Oslo. No matter how long it had been since we last saw each other, the connection was always immediate. Your warmth, joy, and vitality were contagious, and you had a wonderful ability to make every moment enjoyable and memorable.

As a child, it was a great pleasure to visit you and Don, staying in the caravan in your garden. Later, during my time in Cambridge, we again had the chance to share lovely moments together. And last but not least, in June of last year, June, Thom, and I had the precious opportunity to be with you again. Looking back, we are so incredibly grateful for that time – memories we will carry with us forever.

We also have many special memories from Soerlandet, when you and Don visited us at our cabin in Kvernkilen outside Risoer. The wonderful moments we shared there, filled with laughter and great conversations, will always be dear to us. It felt like everything was just as it should be when we were together – in an atmosphere of calm, joy, and love.

Thom and I miss you. You were a vibrant, unforgettable person who lit up every room with light and laughter, and on very rare occasions, a proper thunderclap! We will always remember you for your infectious humor and the precious moments we shared.

Thank you for everything you gave.

Rest in peace, dear Aunt Astrid.

From Gemma, Darren, Jessica, Jake & Chloe:

Today we are honouring, celebrating, and remembering our wonderful Nan & Granna. She was a woman of tenacity, grace, and courage, with a stubborn streak like no other. Always loving her Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, and also welcoming a great great granddaughter in May last year. What an achievement!

There was never a dull moment in Astrid’s presence. She was a whirlwind of sentimental family values. Everything was photographed and treasured, regardless of how insignificant those moments seemed to us at the time.

There are so many memories with our Granna, here are a few:

Endless shopping trips & lunches with Gemma, where she would insist on buying yet ANOTHER jumper!

Walking to the river in Mill Lane to see the cows & play Poohsticks with us. Throwing a stick into the waterfall below, then running as fast as we could to see if it came out the other side of the bridge!

Nan loved Christmas. She had an unbelievable collection of Christmas decorations. It would take a whole day to get them all out and another whole day to pack them all away again! She would play the piano every Christmas whilst we stood & sang Christmas carols.

She also loved the Christmas parties that David & Racheal threw every year in Maldon. One year Nan had one to many red wines, started to dance, stumbled, and was caught & saved by Darren. It became a bit of a yearly occurrence after that!

The collection of toys she kept under her green settee upstairs that came out for 3 generations of children. All still in pristine condition.

Pantomime trips every Christmas & taking us to midnight mass on Christmas eve and her love for classical music.

Caravan holidays. Paddling in the sea. Simon especially remembers visiting Fingles Bridge in Dartmoor & swimming in the freezing cold swimming pool! Her long walks and pure love for nature. Playing ‘Trip Trap Troll’ who is under my bridge? Nan would always be the troll who replied “ it’s me the troll, you’re walking on my bridge!”

Astrid refused to embrace technology. To her, Alexa was an actual person. Whenever she asked Alexa to do something it would aways be followed by a please or thank you. “Alexa, turn the music off please” followed by “thank you Alexa!”

At Gemma’s weekly shopping, the number one thing on Astrid’s list was flowers. Her front room looked like a florist’s shop! She would always say they cheered her up. Her love for playing her piano was constant over the years. She was thrilled when Jessica learned to play, and would listen to Jessica with a huge smile on her face.

She also had a best friend in Jake. Gemma would leave him with Astrid whist she went shopping – they both had a huge love for the program Bargain Hunt. They would kick back, relax with their lunches on their laps and watch episode after episode, trying to guess which team would win!

We could go on and on with wonderful memories. However, one thing we all knew about our nan was how hilariously clumsy she was! We will forever hear her voice in our minds of when she would trip over her own feet and then shout a huge “WHOOOOOOP”!
She was one of a kind "our Granna" xxx

From Angela & Bart in the USA:
Mike, Astrid's service was lovely. Thank you so much for sending us the info to view it.
I'm not sure if we ever told you the story of when she and Don came and visited us in Montana -- guess it was around 1998. We went with them on a trip up to Glacier Park and stopped to do a bit of sight seeing. There was a beautiful small stream flowing down the mountains that Astrid couldn't resist bounding across via the giant boulders around the frosty creek. Much as you would expect, she went arse over tit into the chilly stream. I do believe the first time I ever heard the 'arse over' expression was from Don on that very occasion!
Angela and I are so glad we got to visit with her last year and cherish our memories of her and Don.
Love,
Angela and Bart