Michelle - Their Wonderful Whistler

Photo Courtesy- Victoria Thompson

The awful but real truth began to break, on Friday afternoon 5 August 2002. A vibrant, enthusiastic, and funny; daughter, sister, mother, and friend had died. There was no warning, and no time to prepare. Her very close group of friends somehow managed to find a way through their grief and shock and begin to support each other. What they all clearly do best. 

      Michelle had a very upbeat attitude and liked to live her life on a happy and upbeat note. Who knew someone so happy and positive would leave so much sorrow and yearning behind them. I have known Michelle since she was at secondary school with a close friend and previous neighbour Vicky Thompson. Although I saw Michelle less frequently over the years, I was always that much more uplifted when we would say goodbye. I was so overwhelmed when I found myself having to say goodbye for a final time. 

Something else, which has resonated with me, is the strength of the relationship Michelle had with ‘the girls’ her close group of friends. The way they really do pull together is not uncommon, but the enthusiasm and genuine love they have for each other is. I have never in my life seen a closer friendship group than this. They have something so precious and have taken the time to nurture it. In celebration and sadness, their strong true friendship shines through. Sisterhood is the better word for it. 

Michelle's only daughter has a group of surrogate mothers to help with the very unpredictable road that is life. They are there to catch her if she falls, and celebrate her successes. She is lucky and blessed to have them all, just as they were lucky and blessed to have Michelle. When we spoke about her, we would say our Michelle, but it is plain for all to see, she was their Michelle and will always be.

I dedicate this blog to all the vibrant, brave, working-class Londoners who showed true courage and love for each other in World Wars 1-2.    WE WILL REMEMBER THEM 

There's Only One Tilly Griffiths!! {Moore}

©Priscilla Etienne Funeography®

A sad day for us all at Custom House, 30th January 2022, the day our friend Tilly died. We all wanted to share the health battle Tilly went through. The whole community was rooting for her, supporting her children, her sisters, and her parents in the only way that we know. Some of the shops along Prince Regents Lane asked after her, some asking if she needed anything, but all wanting her to continue fighting. That's how she was, always ready to fight for what she believed in, for injustice anywhere she saw it. My last visit to her home about 3 months before her death was a tonic. This family did not need a pandemic to be reminded of how important and precious they are to each other. 

Fast forward to around 3 months later, 4 March 2022. I saw the bottom of Colman Road E16 awash with Tilly's family, friends, and neighbours, braving the cold to see her leave her home for the last time. As I walked among the crowds, greeting many of them I was looking for the best positions to start shooting. 'When the feathers are in sight'. That's what I asked one of the mourners to look out for as I continued to shoot the perfect sight of her grandchildren playing among the sadness, slightly excited that they were dressed up for their nans special day. I ran back to position to see the beautiful white horses in their majestic purple plumes. The colour purple adorned all those with whom Tilly was close and had a special bond. 

All the familiar faces from the area over the last 4 decades of my life are all struggling with the thought of letting Tilly go. The moment had come, and the first group of female pallbearers began getting into position as the coffin stands were placed in front of them. The only thing missing was a red carpet, reflecting her superstar personality as she was carried out by some of her nearest and dearest. Some of the local men from Tollgate Road were drinking cans of beer, an unexpected sight at a funeral but their way of a final toast for her. I don't believe Tilly would have had it any other way, she would not have expected them to change their 'way' on her account. 'Take us as you find us, or don't take us at all.' A no-nonsense attitude from a no-nonsense woman. 

There are big holes in the many places Tilly left behind, Why? because she was a lady with a big personality and her funeral reflected the big love we all had for her. 

I dedicate this blog to all the strong women from Custom House who left us before her and to the strong women still there.