Remembering Katie by Joanna

Simon and I first met Katie at my 40th Birthday Party (I’m now 43).  When David introduced us the first thing that struck me was her smile – really beaming and her hair was very long and she had it tied up really nicely.  She didn’t know anyone other than David and she quietly mingled so well.  We’re quite a tight knit bunch, but she wasn’t phased by it at all.  I was so pleased to see the effect she had on David – he was still himself and seemed totally at ease with her and she with him. Everyone commented afterwards about how lovely she was.

She stayed over night with David and in the morning she was subjected to me and my friend Rachael (who knows David well) wittering on about silly surreal stories as we were still slightly drunk.  She just took it all in, in her own unique way.  As Jon rightly said in his Eulogy, pausing for thought to mull over things and then give her gentle opinion.

We met up with David, Katie and then Oscar several times after that.  When Katie became a Mum she came into her own.  I am a mum of two, Harry 12 and Tilly 9, and obviously have come into contact with many mums along my travels with H&T but never had I met such a devoted Mum as Katie.  I was in awe at the effort she went to for Oscar and the utter devotion; I was slightly embarrassed of my own mothering skills if I’m being honest!  I was so touched that she would occasionally ask me for some bit of advice here and there – even though she was making such a good job of it.

Today I asked Harry and Tilly what they remembered most about Katie and this is what they said:-

 Tilly said, “I just LOVED her American accent. I loved they way she said certain words”  This came as no surprise to me as Tilly is obsessed with all things American, and was SO proud that she had an American friend in her midst!

Harry said, “She was so nice to me. When she used to go to the toilet or something she’d say ‘keep an eye on Oscar for me Harry’ to me.”  That sums it up for us really.  Katie knew that Harry just loves playing with Oscar and that one single comment made him feel like King of the Mountain to be left in charge of Oscar!

Simon, Harry, Tilly and I thought the world of you Katie.  We were so looking forward to  seeing you all at the end of October as we hadn’t caught up for a while. We will miss you terribly and feel robbed of the chance to get to spend more time getting to know you even more.