Eulogy for Marlene Jane Charlesworth Marlene was born in Old Leake, Nr Boston, Lincolnshire on the 6th of October 1950; she was one of nine children born to Charles and Edith Tilley. Her Dad Charles was a farmworker and Mum kept home and I can imagine it took some keeping with all the children around the house. It was not just one house either as the family moved home many times during those growing up years. They lived in the Boston area up until 1964 when the family moved to Peterborough. Marlene’s brothers were Colin, Malcolm, Charles, Graham and Paul and her sisters were Beryl, Pearl, Olwyn, and lastly Christine, who very sadly has passed on too. A story was told to me about how all the kids had to sleep in a couple of beds, top to toe… her childhood was a very happy one and until her early teens she was a member of the Salvation Army. Marlene’s schooling began at Sibsey Junior School and ended up at Eastern Avenue Secondary School in Peterborough. After leaving school, Marlene started her working life at the family business of Parish and Sons Dressmakers in Peterborough. In 1978 Marlene went to work for Woolworths in Peterborough as a catering assistant and it was there that she met husband to be Merrill [Known to all here as John], who was the restaurant manager; Marlene worked there until 1981. John and Marlene were married in September 1983 at Dogsthorpe Methodist Church and moved into the home that they had bought the previous year in Peterborough. From 1982 until 1990 Marlene worked at Littlewoods in the Town as the restaurant supervisor and it was a job that made her many friends. Marlene liked watching sports on the TV, especially occasions like the Olympics; she did try tennis a little and Patangue, but as John explained to me, Marlene enjoyed less energetic hobbies like card games and domino’s. She loved crafts and made Christmas and birthday cards, also enjoying knitting and cake making. Another love of Marlene’s was animals, and had several pets during her lifetime. As for food, Marlene liked most foods, especially spicy meals; she was not a big eater of fish and so enjoyed eating out at local restaurants. Marlene’s taste in music included Sir Cliff but not the Beatles – Johns was totally the opposite… it’s amazing how opposites attract ! You could say that she liked all sorts of music styles but it was mainly easy listening that Marlene preferred. John and Marlene loved traveling around the world and visited places that included Cyprus, Majorca, Spain, America, Canada and Alaska. From bus tours to cruising, they loved to travel and John has many wonderful memories of their times together, exploring the world. John and Marlene arrived in Spain in September 2008 after a two year battle with their villa builder who had stopped working on their project in Almeria Province. Fortunately they managed to transfer the finances paid up front for the original house to their home on the Country Club and everything worked out… it was a very difficult and stressful time for them both. The idea to move to Spain was planted like a seed by a couple they met while on holiday in Majorca some years ago and the thought never went away. Marlene’s brother Charles, who is with us today, has lived in Spain for 30 years, so she would not have been the first family member to leave the green and pleasant land. Since arriving here they have made many friends and Marlene loved visiting, meeting people, eating out and the Spanish way of life… she had a listening ear for other people’s problems and worries and would always have time for others. Marlene was a friendly person who everybody liked… she loved a laugh and a joke… she loved life. Sadly over the past four months she struggled with breast cancer and battled through major surgery. Just as she seemed to be recovering well, we lost her. Marlene, you were a very special lady and will be so sadly missed by John and all your family and friends… God bless you.