Ciara Louise Penny (12 May 1966 - 18 Feb 2015)

In loving memory of the late Ciara Louise Penny who sadly passed away on 18th February 2015

Ciara Penny – or as we loved to call her “Scrappy Doo”, was the ultimate buff girl; the best wife, mum and daughter there was, a real character that no one will ever forget. In fact, there aren’t even enough words to sum up what she meant to all of us because she was so special and unique.

Our mum lived life to the full, loved the weekends and doing everything with her family, and friends – especially her best friend our dad.

It is correct to say that my dad, Liam, Declan and I would not be who we are today without her.

Looking back, she was so thoughtful in everything she done for all of us and encouraged us to do whatever we wanted, whether it was: Declan with his football, Liam with his music and college and me with my Irish dancing travelling the country and later completing my law degree, she was there for us 100% so interested in what we were doing.

However, as much as she would do everything for us, she always ensured that her and my dad had time for themselves, whether this involved a cheeky lunch, Millwall away games or out with the scooter club and soul do’s – she cherished every minute they spent together. Our mum and dads relationship was so special, they weren’t just any old couple they were soul mates and this was portrayed in the 30 years they spent together. The night they met was mums first night out following her terrible car crash that left her paralyzed for a year. Dad’s chat up line to her when he found out that she had been in hospital was, “you haven’t had a baby have ya?” and surprisingly they have been inseparable ever since, despite the first impressions.

It is because of our mum and dads special relationship that we have been so fortunate to have such a good family life with our beautiful mum.

I think it is safe to say that our mum’s favourite thing was to laugh – especially when it came to the weekend plans. We all knew her routine, Monday to Thursday she would be feeling sorry for herself on the sofa watching her catch up episodes of Emmerdale and her little cop programmes. However, miraculously on a Friday she would be raring to go again; especially if this involved leaving early on a Friday to go to a Millwall away game, or a day out with the buff girls. As long as Ciara was enjoying herself whether this be the holidays to Cyprus, Catolina, Ilse of White or a weekend in Dungeness, the only thing she thought about was having fun and being involved with everyone in her company.
Mum, you are going to be so sorely missed by us all, because you were truly the life and soul of the party! We have been left with a big hole that is irreplaceable to fill - but don’t worry I will always remain your rotwiller! Mum loved to voice her opinions, she was always right, and I will always remember her saying that she was the little Yorkshire terrier and I was the rotwiller!

We love you so much mum and your light will continue to burn alive in us forever.