A Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for the life of Monica Ann Overall
Cross to remain
Music to enter – ‘Amazing Grace’ – Judy Collins
Welcome and opening words
I would like to welcome you all to this service of celebration and thanksgiving to honour the life of Monica Ann Overall, who died on the 4th of March at the age of seventy seven.
I’m sure I speak for us all when I say that our hearts go out to Doug and the family who are trying to come to terms with losing Monica.As you know, she had been ill for some time but no-one expected the end to come quite so suddenly. After a brave and uncomplaining battle with her illness, Monica finally slipped away very peacefully in the night, having seen all her loved ones that day, and she was wonderfully cared for throughout her illness, both in the hospital and the Hospice; the family would like me to sincerely thank all those involved in her care and support.
When I was talking to the family about Monica last week, the thing about her that stood out above all else in their minds was her great love for them all; not just for her immediate family - Douglas, her husband forfifty seven years, her daughters Tracey and Shelley, and her grandchildren Kayleigh, and Lewis, and of course her sister Maureen, but also for all her extended family that included Kevin her son-in-law, Keith, her soon to be son-in-law, and his son Ashley, her late brother- in- law Reg, and her good friends Ken and Chris.
The other thing they all agreed that they would never forget was her enormous sense of fun – but more about that later!
I know that Monica’s death will leave a huge gap in all your lives, but sadly grief is the price we have to pay for love. During our time together today I hope we can put aside that grief for just a moment as we remember Monica as she was through the happy times you shared together, and I know there were many of those, as those are the memories that will comfort in the days to come.

Hymn – ‘All things Bright and Beautiful’ – first three verses
We will now sing the Hymn ‘All things bright and beautiful’
Tribute – Sue
Monica was born to John and Eva Batchelor in Beckenham, Kent, where she grew up with her elder sister Maureen. It was a happy childhood, and Maureen remembers them playing silly games on the beach with their dad and their teddies during their numerous holidays on Hayling Island, and they felt themselves to be lucky kids during the second World War because their Mum had a small freezing compartment in her fridge so they could enjoy ice creams on their birthdays – a rare treat during those years of austerity.
Monica went to Bromley Technical College where she won various awards for her handwriting and took her secretarial qualifications, going on to become a secretary at a local company, Thomas Delarue.
Monica and Doug met in their early twenties, just after he had left the RAF. They found themselves sharing the same train carriage one day together with Doug’s friend Johnny Halswell, and a year later they were married with Johnny as best man. During their courtship a very nervous Doug went to meet Monica’s parents and have a meal with the family, and in his confusion he poured the rhubarb sauce for the pudding over his steak and kidney pie thinking it was gravy. Such was his love for Monica, he ate it without saying a word!
Monica and Doug started their married life living with their parents and Monica worked at home, transcribing medical tapes. In 1963 Tracey was born and Shelley arrived in 1965 to complete the family.
The girls tell me that Monica was a great Mum. She was easy going and great fun, but sensible with it. When she told them off for drinking too much they just reminded her of the time she dropped the peas all over the floor of the kitchen in Ernsborough Gardens one day when she’d had one too many herself! She was also known to take an innocent looking bottle of coke with a secret drop or two of Bacardi in it on school trips to help things along a little!
I know that both the grandchildren have wonderful memories of day trips with their grandparents which they will never forget.
When Doug decided to sell his car showroom and retire, he and Monica moved down to Devon – his parents were already living in Tiverton. It was hard to leave their lovely home in Kent with its stunning garden, but Doug’s sore back certainly benefitted from the move! There were so many happy memories of fun times together there and the silly antics they got up to. Once, whilst decorating, they decided to make a home movie. Monica and Chris stood at the bedroom window with a piece of paper saying ‘help, help, fire’ whilst Ken in his fireman’s uniform dashed to their rescue on a trike. He climbed up to the window on a ladder and ‘rescued’ Peter, dressed in a nightie; Peter was then dumped head first into a dustbin – (not quite sure why!) and I don’t think it ever made the Oscars, but great fun was had by all!
There were always parties going on and nutty,funny happenings, like the day Doug dug a six foot grave for Ken’s wife Chris and buried her because he reckoned he had to get rid of hersomehow and this was the only way to do it!

Reflection – Music – gentle organ music played by organist
These are just a few of the family’s memories of Monica and I’m sure each of you have brought your own special ones with you today, so now let’s take a few quiet moments to remember her in our own way, and some of you may wish to say a silent prayer.

Hymn – The Lord’s my Shepherd – organist
We will now sing Psalm 23, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’
The Lord’s Prayer
Before we finally say farewell to Monica, let us say The Lord’s Prayer together –
Would you now please stand

‘Our Father, who 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;
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
For thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory,
For ever and ever,
Amen

Committal
Curtains to remain open
It is now time to say farewell to Monica, to give thanks to her for a life shared, and to send her our blessings on her journey.

Please say with me the words of committal printed on your service sheets

‘Into the freedom of wind and sunshine
We let you go;
Into the dance of the stars and the planets
We let you go;
Into the wind’s breath and the hands of the star maker,
We let you go.
May you rest in eternal peace surrounded by our love.’



Reading – ‘Angels are mothers’ – Kathleen J Shields

‘There are Angels God puts on this earth
Who care for us and guide us.
You can feel their love and gentleness
As they walk through life beside us.

They do great things for us every day
They whisper in our ears,
They even hold us in their hearts
When we are filled with all our fears.

They are always there to give a hug
And try to make us smile.
They treat us with respect and love,
They treat us like their child.

God blessed me with an Angel,
I’m proud to call my own.
She’s been with me throughout my life,
Been with me as I’ve grown.

She’s guided me the best she can,
She’s taught me like no other,
And I’m thankful I’m the lucky one,
Who gets to call her ….Mon.’

Closing Words
The words of that poem say so much about how you all feel about Monica and how deep was your love for her, and I know that there will be days to come when the whole world will feel very empty, because she is no longer with you.
But nothing has gone except Monica’s present and future presence, and painful as that may be, the warm companionship that has meant so much, all that you have ever known remains; all the memories we have treasured together today, all the fun, and the laughter, all the love and the friendship - nothing from the past has really gone.
All these things are woven into your lives and they will always bring you comfort when you need it, if you remember that although life has to end, love doesn’t. When we come to leave the chapel in a moment I hope you will take Monica with you and keep her safe and warm in your hearts for the rest of your days, so that she will always feel very near to you, and stillbe an important part of your lives.

Blessing
Finally,
‘In days to come
If we are troubled, may we find peace;
If we are depressed, may we find joy;
If we need support
May we find it in each other;
And if we are lonely, may we find companionship and love.

May the love of friends and family, the joy of memory and our hopes for the future give us the strength and peace that we may go forward into life together, until a new day breaks and the shadows disappear.’
Thank you for joining us here today. The family invite you to join them after the service at The Heathfield Inn in Honiton, and as you leave the chapel you will see that there is a collection box for the Exeter Hospice should you wish to make a donation in Monica’s Memory.

Music to Exit – ‘Honey’ – Bobby Goldsboro
After the Service – The Heathfield Inn, Honiton
Retiring Collection – Exeter Hospice