Tracey Jackson

17.03.1963 ~ 28.09.2018

My beautiful wife, Tracey (Doughnut) Jackson, passed away peacefully at home in the beautiful sunshine this afternoon surrounded by family and friends.

Service in Celebration for the life of Tracey Jackson Friday 19th October 2018 at 2.20pm Worthing Crematorium

She is flying high with us, sparkling from above

Entry Music – Swan Lake, Op.20, Act 2 – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Welcome and Introduction

Good Afternoon, my name is James Rushman, a warm welcome to you all.

We have all come together from different places and we are all at different stages on our journey through life. Our paths are varied and we all look at life in different ways.

We gather here today because of one very special lady, in Love and Friendship, not only just to say goodbye, but more importantly to pay tribute and give thanks as we celebrate in words and music the life of Tracey Jackson. May your memories of her bring you comfort and joy, especially to Michael, Jane, Katie Chris and Diana together with all extended family and friends gathered here today.

Our lives are like a train journey, where family and friends board our train at different stations in our lives. Some are only on the train journey for a short time to be with us, others are with us throughout our journey. Once our own train journey has ended, others continue with their own journey but we will never forget those journeys made with Tracey, shared with her family and friends.

Though no longer a visible part of your lives, Tracey will remain a member of your family or circle of friends through the influence she had had on you and the special part she played in your lives.

Memories of Tracey

Tracey came into this world on the 17th March 1963 born in Chichester to Lily and Fred, she was a breach birth and was born with a broken leg. Fred and Lily had been married for eight years and they were so proud of their beautiful daughter especially Fred. Then a few years later they were blessed with their second daughter Jane.

Tracey attended the local schools but was not particularly keen on school and could not wait to leave and go out in the big wide world. She did however at a very young age have a love of Ballet and Dance, which she would attend with her cousin Michelle. Ballet and Dance were a love that went all the way through her life. Also when young she enjoyed swimming and sport. She would often play squash with her Auntie Mary at least once a week.

Life growing up with her sister Jane was always fun and right from those early years they have called each other Sid, a nickname taken from watching Sid Snot on the Kenny Everett show.

Her teenage years were not easy and she was helped with the support of her Auntie Audrey and Uncle Wally when she would cycle round to their house, which was the house next door to where Michael and Tracey now live. Tracey had a wonderful relationship with her lifelong friends, Sue, Elaine and Tina, or should I say predictive text error - TUNA. I was told that they loved their shopping trips together and would strut their stuff at Thursday’s nightclub near Oving. In those days she loved listening and dancing to ABBA.

Family life was very important to her and they were a close knit family and would often go on family picnics and long walks together as well as having many family get togethers and parties.

Her Mum Lily’s birthday was always a time for celebration as it was on Bonfire Night and the family would have a Bonfire Party with Chilli and Curry Jacket potatoes with Tracey and Jane making a guy out of their Dads old clothes. Bonfire nights and also Halloween had a lasting impression on Tracey and she loved having parties especially on Halloween, Christmas and at Easter.

Tracey grew up and lived in a small village where she made many friends, she was the woman who enthusiastically waved good morning to her neighbours. One particular neighbour who she was fond of was Patricia, who also sadly passed away earlier this year…

Tracey was an Auntie to Katie and Kyle and she would always buy them silly sweet treats on special occasions. Tracey wasn’t a fussy Auntie, but she was always there for Birthdays, Christmas and Halloween of course.

Tracey loved all the colours of autumn and she loved her annual trip with Michael to visit the pumpkin Man and his display at Slindon, as well as a tradition of always watching the John Carpenters Halloween film. Of course Tracey loved to dress up as a Witch for the children who would Trick or Treat and the broomstick would arrive out of the cupboard. As I have said, any excuse to dress up and hold a party. A Witch a Ballet Dancer or a Fairy all had a place at her party.

As Tracey got older she worked out that by having a party in the afternoon it was a great way to entertain especially as you could boot everyone out by 6 o’clock and have the rest of the evening to kick back in her lounge wear and have a glass of Chardonnay.

Sunday was Tracey’s perfect morning, She would catch up with friends, go swimming or spend the time chilling or reading a book and looking forward to a Sunday Roast which she loved and could eat every day of the week if she could - with perhaps Sausage rolls, Cheese straws and Pork pies for breakfast which were her other favourites snacks.

It was not all parties as Tracey was a hard worker all her life. She first started her working life as a Dental receptionist and later as the dentist’s assistant. She then spent four years in the retail at Marks and Spencer. Tracey loved working with and meeting people, this love of people was put to great use when in the late 80’s she had a spell working in the aircrew of Air Europe. She loved every minute especially as she always had a love of travel especially Florida, a destinations where she late enjoyed many holidays. In the 90’s she went back to Marks and Spencer before becoming a carer with a Home Care and then joining the team at The Laurels Day Centre, where she started up the Link Club and was responsible for organising many groups for cooking, games, bingo or just reminiscing.

It was while at the Laurels that her life was to change when in 2003 someone boarded her train that was to change her life. She met Michael, firstly when she borrowed a dress from Michaels Mum for a Halloween Party as she worked with his Mum. Then she asked Michael who is a graphic designer to design some invites for her Oscars themed 40th Birthday Party.

Well after a few meetings and days out as friends, romance blossomed and the rest you can say is history with them becoming engaged on the 16th October 2004 and marrying at Arundel Town Hall on the 2nd September 2006 with many of you here today having very fond memories of their special day. Their journey together had begun.

Tracey continued her working career and in 2008 she became a Learning assistant at Chichester College before returning to the Laurels as a Care Officer in 2012.

Tracey loved working at the Laurels and cared a great deal about all the staff, customers, and even the fish. It was not just at work that Tracey showed her caring nature, she was always there for many of her friends or family that were ever in need. Again she loved all the staff and the customers, but would be more than happy to throw her laptop out of the window!

Tracey and Michael were inseparable, but they still had their own hobbies and interests. Tracey with her swimming and sport going at least three times a week and Michael with his work and his allotment. Michael told me that they had a relationship that was uncomplicated, honest, loving, fun and they trusted each other with a sense of humour that was always on the same parallel. Most of you here will remember Tracey’s sense of humour, her joking and her infectious bouts of laughter and if it was really funny - you were treated to one of her Snort’s.

Both Tracey and Michael worked hard and enjoyed their free time, especially going on holiday. As I have said Tracey loved travelling and her work with Air Europe took her to many destinations around the world, with one of her favourite stop overs being Florida. Tracey loved visiting the theme parks and went about 6 times before persuading Michael to take her there for her 50th Birthday in 2013.

Tracey and Michaels first holiday together was on a mini break to Barcelona. Tracey at the time was unaware of Michael being a nervous flyer so her cabin crew experience came into good use. Then followed further holidays abroad with the Caribbean being a favourite destination especially Antigua and Barbuda.

The passion apart from Michael and travelling was her Ballet and dance, she loved going to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden for the Ballet followed by a Five Guys Burger and fries. One of her favourite Ballets was Swan Lake and so wanted to see Darcey Bussell perform. However on the day Darcey had to withdraw due to injury. She did later go to see Darcey; even it was behind glass when Michael and Tracey went on a back stage visit to the Royal Opera House. You can imagine that Tracey loved watching strictly with all the glitz, glamour and even loved the judges. She also enjoyed going to the Cinema with her all-time favourite film being Grease. On all what I have been told about Tracey it would seem that she would have been an ideal Sandy.

In the June of 2014 Tracey was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, Tracey had always looked after herself so it came as a shock to them both. She underwent surgery in the July followed by four months of Chemotherapy and three weeks of Radiotherapy after witch life then started a form of normality. Both Tracy and Michael could not speak highly enough of the care and compassion they have received over the last 4 years from the Nurses, Breast Care Nurses, Doctors and the Oncologist.

Due to the treatments they were not able to go abroad so started a love affair with Somerset having their first holiday there to Cheddar in 2015 followed by another three holidays to the area. Tracey’s goal was to beat cancer and get back to Florida which she did in 2016 with Michael. They had an amazing time staying at the Disney Beach Club and the Hard Rock Hotel. It was here that they decided to film their adventure and upload their videos to their YouTube channel.

Tracey and Michael's YouTube channel was created to record their memories filming their weekends and adventures, they soon realised they were capturing unique moments in their lives which could be relived. They made many friends through their YouTube channel and social network and were touched by the many people who followed them.

Tracey lived life; she will be sadly missed but will live on in the minds and memories of all here today.

I will end with Michael’s words Tracey was Caring,
Kind and Compassionate,
Sensitive and Delicate,
Happy and Full of Laughter,
Forgiving and Forgetful,a Worrier, but most of all Tracey was an Amazing beautiful woman, a Lover and a Fighter.
Tracey you knew I loved you every day.
I lived to make you happy and I always tried to protect you.
I love you now and I always will.

Reflection Music & Photos – Songbird by Fleetwood Mac

Poem – My Best Friend, written and read by Sue Knight
We met at disco dancing lessons in 1982,
There was something special about her, we clicked and I just knew.
That we would become best of friends sharing special moments in our lives.
The ups and downs that come along, the laughter and the strife.
I met up with Tracey and her Dad for a weekly game of squash,
She was brilliant at it, so I always lost!
We had sleepovers at my house, she would ride my horse.
Sleepovers at her house, nightclubbing, disco divas of course!
We were bridesmaids at each other’s weddings, whinged about our work.
Shared our thoughts and feelings, helped each other where we could.
We have been on holiday together, and special birthday dos.
We did some shows together, that was very special too.
She was always there to talk to; I could trust her with my life.
Honest and non-judgemental, she knew things are not black and white.
Caring kind and funny, she sparkled there’s no doubt.
Everyone who knew her loved her, she was beautiful inside and out.

A Moment of Thought & Lord’s Prayer

Tracey we give thanks for everything that was good in your life and all the special memories which we treasure today. We remember Michael, Jane, Katie Chris and Diana and all here today, also those not able to be here today.

Also in our thoughts at this time are those loved ones who are no longer with us, including her parents Lily and Fred and those members of her family and her friends, made through the years who have gone before, may they all rest in peace.

May you all be comforted with love, may you face each new day with hope and the certainty that nothing can destroy the love that Tracey gave you, and may your memories of her become joyful, your days enriched with friendship.

If you so wish please join with me in saying The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
Those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, And the glory, forever and ever.
Amen

Time of Farewell

We now come to the time in our service when we have to prepare Tracey for her final journey, her personality, spirit and love of life never dies as it remains in your hearts forever.

To live in the heart of another person is not to die… as true love never dies. Tracey, we know that the light of your love will shine forth upon those here present and for those whom you cared, we honour the way you lived your life as we say farewell to you now, and remember that you will be loved and cherished forever and may you now rest in peace.

I would just like to finish by saying that Tracey was a star and let us think of her shining down on all of us from the night sky.

She is now flying high with us, sparkling from above.

The stars will be our link in love when leaving breaks our heart We all can gaze upon them and never feel apart

Closing words

Tracey, your life has touched so many people. You were a very, very special Lady Your love and complete devotion to Michael and your family was obvious to all who knew you. I know that Tracey would not want you to continue to feel sad and I am sure that she will be with you all from time to time, and in your memories, so be sure to listen out for her laughter.

The family would like to thank everyone here and those who could not make it today for their kind words, thoughts and support. It has bought a measure of comfort to us to know how much she was loved and you have all shown that again today by being here for Tracey

Let us return to our own homes, enriched and inspired by our wonderful memories of Tracey, whose life will live on in all of your memories.

Exit Music – Dancing Queen by Abba