Audrey Lumley (10 Oct 1927 - 12 Oct 2020)

Going to see Grandma Audrey was always an adventure! We always looked forward Grandmas collection of games in the toy cupboard. We spent hours recreating battle scenes across the front lounge with the tin of toy soldiers. We played a lot of yhatzee, kerplunk, mob between the sliding doors and the ever disappointing set of mouse trap that always had a bit missing!

We were plied with Dandelion and Burdock, weak cups of tea, Dandy and Victor annuals, Cliff Richard and tv dinners infront of the Big Break and the Generation Game. She had a great collection of hilarious photos of our Dads, their school reports and... thimbles.

Her memory was the best in family! She could recall the names and birthdays of all the extended family in order of card delivery throughout the year. She never forgot a missed christmas card. We had one year when the christmas cards stayed on the wall til our visit in february to show us the space where ours would have gone.

She was amazing! Grandma used whatsap til 93, lived in her own home til 92 and started sending selfies when she was 90! We will always laugh about Grandmas classic Christmas gift of £5 worth of 20p coins in a bank coin bag.

We will fondly remember all the times the whole family got together, her 90th birthday in the village hall, snow days in Houghton-Le-Spring, our family holiday to France, visiting her in the charity shop where she volunteered... and of course her well stocked biscuit jar! May she rest in peace!

Love from Edward, Benjamin and Samuel xx

Dear Audrey. What a record of service to Houghton Church! She was an impeccable Secretary to the Church Council in my time as Rector, an energetic contributor to social life and a heart-felt Christian. She brought her touch of star quality to all our lives and if, like other stars, she might sometimes call on the patience of those who loved, it was a small price for all that she gave to others. May she rest in peace and rise in glory!

I also remember meeting grandma at the train station when she came to stay; she always came on the fast inter city 125 train, I had the same one on my train set.

Doing the buttercup field walk with her and Grandma Mary.

The tin of tiny soldiers and the golf man!

Our memories of Grandma Audrey

Everytime grandma looked after us or visited we would play Yatsee and she would tell us the best strategies. She would never let us win! When Mark and I visited once we played and Mark said it was obvious where Dad and I get our competitive spirit!

She would always have a money bag full of 20pence pieces as pocket money for us that she had saved up for all of the grandchildren. With 10 grandchildren I always was amazed she could find so many!

I remember climbing into the spare bed with grandma in the mornings when she stayed over when we were little and she would tell us stories about being evacuated in the war, her trip to Bahrain and weekly Bingo with Auntie Marjory and all the trouble Dad got into when he was little.

Grandma loved very milky tea and the thickest butter i've ever seen on bread! The best yorkshires ever and steak and kidney pies. Always being given a little bag of Rington toffees for the car home.

The wonderful tiny outfits that she knitted for my dolls that Meredith still plays with at mum and dads and the beautiful cardigan she made for Meredith.

Dancing to Cliff at my wedding. (how many of us requested Cliff songs? The DJ played about 6 in a row)

Grandma insisting to me that only Tom could fit all the blocks in the toy box properly and the best toy cupboard ever

Love Thomas and Nicola

As a child of 9 years old at the time in 1979, returning to the UK after 2.5 years abroad, we (Richard and Margaret Davison are my parents, sister Ruth and brother David) hadn't been back long before visiting a well known department store in Newcastle. We caught site of ('Aunty') Audrey just as she caught site of us across the aisle and with absolutely no concern for appearances she ran over to us, her arms open wide, embracing and kissing us all in a flurry of laughter, hugs and warmth. The heartfelt 'welcome back' will always be a treasured memory for me. A wonderful lady, rest in peace. Stephen

Dear Audrey - A dear friend who is now pain free and at peace. God Bless
Jean and Ken

Grandma, thank you for the fun times & precious memories. In particular the summer holidays, playing Yahtzee and going to church. Miss & love you Charlotte & James xx

I lit a candle for dear Audrey, a close friend for over 50 years - Anne

Good night god bless you . Missed by all the girls at the pavilion care centre. Xx

Audrey, my dear friend, who I've only known a very short time but what a blessing it was to know you. You are greatly missed by each and every one of us. I'll miss our chats. Be at peace and I hope you're dancing the night away to your Cliff Richard songs. God bless xx