"Goodbye my lover, goodbye my friend, you have been the one, you have been the one for me"

You have been my lover, my best friend, my rock through all the hard times as well as the good. We laughed and cried together but we were always there for each other no matter what. You always supported me and encouraged me to make the most of any opportunities which developed my abilities. You had faith in me and gave me the self confidence to believe in myself.

I will be eternally grateful that you loved and cared for my two children from a very early age. You provided fun, love, moral guidance and support. You got them through some challenging times that teenagers sometimes encounter and they have both come through as beautiful, loving adults who I am extremely proud of and I know you were too, thankyou my Darling.

You were a great champion of women and showed tremendous respect for their capabilities. You were fun to be around. You also liked a good debate, although some would call it an argument....!

You were a totally selfless person and, even during our hard times, you always thought of others worse off and supported those suffering injustices or environmental catastrophes around the world.

I am sorry I could not grant you your wish to die at home - I did try but sadly you were too ill to be kept safe and comfortable in those last couple of days. Unfortunately you passed before I could be with you but I take comfort in that we had already said our goodbyes and expressed our love and, at long last, you looked as though you had found peace.

Goodbye my lover.

Goodbye my friend.

I will miss you greatly, your loving wife Lin x