R.I.P Ray Hand

Ray Hand died last Wednesday.  His wife, Georgina, contacted my mother to ask her to tell me and to let me know that his funeral will be on Thursday.  

Ray had heart failure that was untreated for a long time, until he went to another doctor, who made a big difference to his comfort levels.  His death was not unexpected and he went peacefully.

He was a gentle, quietly spoken man, and he will be missed.  I will go and see Georgina tomorrow to see what I can do to help.  She isn't well herself.  May she be comforted in her sorrow.

To add to her loss, their King Charles Spaniel, Tara, died on 29 September. Exactly a month later on 29 October, Ray went, so the house will seem very empty now.

They decided to have a Renewal of Wedding Vows on 18 October, and knowing that Ray was terminally ill made parts of it so poignant. "In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do us part" Captain Matt Clifton of the Salvation Army performed the ceremony and he conducted the funeral service too. It was the nicest funeral I have been to in England.

Ray enjoying the sun on the Leas.