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 Mandy Simone: 17/04/1953 - 3/10/2011 Mum died at 11.30pm on Monday, October 3rd, 2011. She died peacefully at home, knew what was happening, and had said that she was ready to go. Her cancer had spread to her lungs and heart, making breathing difficult. Her health deteriorated over the summer and into autumn. Although her body gave up on her, her spirit stayed strong until the end. Mum was known and loved by a huge number of people – not least Liam and I – and so her funeral is an open invite. If you feel to come, then please do. We have tried to let as many people know as possible. Her funeral will take place at 2pm on Sunday, October 9, at Boduan Eternal Forest Trust Sanctuary. Directions: From Y Ffôr (on the A499, 4 miles north-east of Pwllheli), take the B4354 westwards towards Nefyn, for five miles. Look out for a small hill on the left, a village boundary sign saying Boduan, and a sign showing a cow. You will then be approaching the wood and should see it on the right hand side of the road. There is parking along the road, but car sharing is a good idea. There is no dress code, but it would be more fitting to be colourful. Bring flowers if you want, but she asked that donations be made to the One Heart charity she set up for the homeless – ask Evie for details about this. Rosie is arranging for singing to take place as the coffin is brought up through the woods – participation is obviously very much welcomed, and you may want to arrive a bit before 2pm. Liam and I will then say a few words about her, and then if anyone wants to make some brief contribution they will be welcome to do so. We would like to thank everyone that has been thinking of her, who has helped with her care, and particularly to Eric, her partner. There will be more singing as the coffin is lowered down. While the singing is taking place you may come forward to place a handful of soil onto the coffin. Some songs will be played following the singing and as people are leaving. At 6pm there will be a get-together at Liam’s cafe (Beach Hut on Llanfairfechan promenade). Please bring food/drink to share and volunteers to help tidy will be appreciated. Please leave comments/tributes below. Anything else you need to know then feel free to get in touch. 17 comments to Mum’s funeral details…
Apologies I can’t remember this guys surname… his first name is Mark and he’s an artist, pictured here giving a talk at Dance Encounters, March 31 2001 at y Galeri in Caernarfon. He’s got some interesting ideas relating to art projects. More info available from Datrys in Llanrwst http://www.datrys.org/.
Raffi’s started getting interested in his hands. Most of the time he’s trying to chew them off because he’s teething.
This is our friends Oli and Bec’s little boy Mabon. We went there for tea last night. I liked the top one because Oli is such an Apple fanboy
Really big fire on the mountain between Deiniolen and Mynydd Llandygai.
This is a chair from the furniture collection at Gwynedd Museum in Bangor.
I’ve been photographing a selection of the artefacts at Gwynedd Museum in Bangor this week, many of which I wasn’t able to identify. This is a fancy container for holding your gunpowder in to keep it dry. The museum is near the bus stops in Bangor and is well worth a visit.
We’d ran out of electric so it flooded down through the ceiling, down the light, and into the dining room. There was water everywhere.
Went for a brisk walk up to Aber Falls with Caz and Raffi today. Loads of water because of all the rain. Then went to bros cafe (Beach Hut in Llanfairfechan) and had a fry up. Caz had a home made cheese burger. If you haven’t been, you should try it – great food and not expensive.
This photo was taken in pouring rain and wind near my house in Bethesda, and it nearly killed me. Ok, slightly over dramatic. I had a heavy tripod and umbrella with me and was trying to clamber a muddy embankment. Before I knew what had happened my feet had slid from underneath me, my camera span around on the tripod and the lens smashed into my neck, an inch away from my windwipe. I lay face down in the mud and leaves for a few moments, dazed enough to wonder if I’d hurt myself, and then to wonder if I’d hurt my camera. It crossed my mind that it would be somehow fitting if my camera had hit my windpipe and killed me – live by the sword die by the sword kind of thing. Anyway, thankfully my camera and I were both fairly unscathed and instead it looks like I’ve got a hicky. Thankfully, also, because the weather’s been miserable, there was no-one else around to see me take a tumble. After that I went home.
wow, where did that week go?! Feb 1st and I can already say I’ve completely failed at my 365 project (attempting to upload a pic every day)… Well, I’ve been quite busy, there’s my excuse… This pic was taken on Saturday at the premiere of James Harvey’s web series the Crombies - http://www.youtube.com/user/BritishBeaumont , which was held in a very impressive shed in Rachub, interesting people some of whom I knew from many moons ago. Second excuse – our boiler has been broken, so the house has been freezing, and I pretty much smoked the whole place out with the coal fire. And I’ve been busy video editing. So maybe I’ll do a 265 project instead, a photo every day, with a few exceptions.
Well, this pic isn’t actually mine, it was taken by Sam Dyer, a bat ecologist, on a trip to Poland… see more of his stuff at www.samdyer-ecology.co.uk
ah crap, gone of the rails already with my 365 project, actually v difficult to take and upload a pic a day! These three are Jac pulling a monster face, some logs from a pre-wedding photo scout at the Meifod, and a wedding album, which I’m in the process of creating a brochure for.
Went to see the osteopath this morning at y Caban, near Brynrefail, feel suitably stretched…wish I could afford to go when I haven’t had back problems, shall perhaps start yoga instead… anyway, this photo, for my 365 project, is of Llyn Padarn, near Llanberis, looking towards Snowdon.
365 project – I’d seen a shot similar to this a long time ago on flickr, so decided to see if I could make a heart shaped shadow with my wedding ring. I spent a while with the ring in one hand and the lamp in the other and moving them round to try and get the desired effect. Eventually realised I needed a book to create the shadow and a book of poetry by TS Eliot was the most suitable I could find, although I can’t say I’ve read this particular poem.
Well, didn’t get round to taking any pics today, so here’s one from the Heglu project I did with Richard Houghton (his sculpture). Taken at Penmon, Anglesey, North Wales.
The story of how I got this photo is probably interesting than the pic itself. I drove up to the quarry in Bethesda, as I had an idea of trying to capture the rain in the beam of the headlights. I parked up and started taking some pics, in the dark with the wind blowing a hooly and the rain pissing down, then started walking towards the entrance of the quarry. It was then that I realised there was a security guard on the gate and I had to explain to him what I was doing. Felt a bit silly, but there we go. The shot didn’t really come of, but at least I’ve kept my 365 project going despite the weather, 350 days left to go…. |
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Copyright © 2012 North Wales photographer Tom Simone - All Rights Reserved |
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A beautiful photograph of a beautiful person.
Mandy lived her too-short life to the full. She was an uninhibited, creative, joyful, much-loved, loving inspiration to everyone who knew her and will be greatly missed.
I’m so sorry Tom.
Hi Tom,
Sorry to hear of you loss, thinking of you and your family,
Sending our love at this sad time,
Colin & Ceri
xxx
R.I.P Mandy, a true inspiration and beautiful person who enriched the lives of everyone you met. I am proud to say I knew you and will always cherish our walk and chats. Lots of love xxxx
Thanks so much for this, Tom. It’s a lovely photo of Mandy – just exactly how she was. Been thinking of you and Liam, of course, and of the family, and of Eric. Mandy was an incredible person – loved by so many, including me. And she loved, valued, cherished and respected you and Liam so very much. She was so proud of you both – of the people you are.
She was a living song – and that song will never die.
Much Love,
Fiona (Anglesey)
RIP Mandy, such a lovely caring kind lady. You will be very sadly missed. Carly x x x x
Dear Tom, sad to hear the news about your mum. She was such a strong spirit! I feel she will always be with us in many ways. Wishing you, your family and all your mums friends strength and a funeral full of warmth, memories and singing. My thoughts will be with you xxx Femke
I always smile when I think of Mandy.
Her energy and enthusiasm for life were so contagious and inspiring. She didn’t hold back!
I remember how much she loved singing this song (the words are based on Goethe ):
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it just begin it
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it
Need I say more…!
A wonderful, warm and caring woman, who truly loved life! She will be missed.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
The world has lost a very special lady,Mandy touched so many lives,heaven has gained another angel I know she will be watching over us,R.I.P Mandy I will miss you xx
Wow, I like that.
I used to sit and drink various different teas and chat with your Mum while I waited for you to get ready
I hadnt seen her for years until I met her and Liam at Bron Cae to show them around, I was so excited to see her I nearly hugged her – now I regret that I didnt. (I shouldnt be embarassed about being so soppy and enthusiastic!) What a wonderful lady she was. I wish I’d known her better. I take some comfort at times like these in the knowledge that although we’re all grown up now, and live all over the place – we’re all still close when it matters. Sleep well Mandy, you were definatly one in a million xxx
She is one of the founders of my ridiculous herbal tea habit
I will always remember coming over to Bryn Eithin and hearing you and your Mum singing loudly, her better than you I think?
I will never forget a party that Banda Bacana played at for Mandy in Llanfairfechan not so long ago and something stuck in my mind about how music had kept her going and how the spirit can live and dance through music…this really touched me and so I am going write a song for her in Bacana style so that she can dance with us in spirit
Dear Tom.
I only found out at 2 today that Mandy had died. I don’t know if you remember me but your mum was just about the most wonderful neighbour that anyone could ever have wished for. I lost touch with her many years ago as I moved around a great deal. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Mandy was such a warm, open, generous woman and when I look back I don’t know how I’d have gotten through some of the challenges of my time in Rachub without her support. My thoughts are with you all on this sad day.
Bless,
Dearbhaile
My mum loved this poem. I know our lovely Mandy would too and I hope it brings some comfort….
Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away
into the next room.
I am I,
and you are you;
whatever we were to each other,
that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name,
speak to me in the easy way
which you always used,
put no difference in your tone,
wear no forced air
of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we shared together.
Let my name ever be
the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect,
without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all
that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you,
after an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.
All is well.
Mandy was so “on” about life.She was so full of humour and strength and joy. She always cheered me up when we met.She loved the singing.i shall go to visit the place in the llyn- the beauty of that place suits her well. I wish all love to her nearest and dearest-what a treasure to have had mandy so close with her lovely vibes to carry on with you. With deepest respect to that funky rattlin’ good woman!! from caroline coppock (a pal)
What a beautiful tribute to my wonderful and unforgettable sister Mandy.
Thank you for all the very touching comments x