Linda Dennison
Linda Dennison ( nee Humble) Wolsingham
THE funeral of a lady born and bred in Wolsingham took place at Wear Valley Crematorium on New Year’s Eve.
The large congregation entered to the music of Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol and were welcomed by Methodist Lay Preacher, Dorothy Emerson from Frosterley.
She reminded everyone why they were there – to remember, to give thanks and to celebrate the life of Linda. Prayers were spoken and the Weardale Psalm before Dorothy spoke the eulogy.
Linda was born in Wolsingham, in Black Bull Cottage in 1953 and lived with her parents and five siblings. She contracted Polio at two years old and was destined for a difficult childhood wearing a caliper but her mother didn’t treat her any differently from the other children. The result was that Linda had the same childhood as her brothers and sisters, her caliper may have been a nuisance but they were no barrier – she even learned to swim in the Wear when wearing it!
Linda’s mother fought for her to have a place in the local primary school when it was the norm for disabled children to be schooled elsewhere. She won but Linda found school life difficult and was bullied so she escaped and spent much of her time down by the river. She always had her mother’s support and convinced Linda she could anything if she set her mind on it – and she did!
She learned to ride a bike, falling off many times but each time, she would get back on again. She climbed apple trees, proving she could do it, caliper or no caliper. After primary school, Linda progressed to Wolsingham School, leaving to go to work at Ramar Clothing Factory in Crook and Remploy in Newton Aycliffe..
Linda met Kevin and they married in 1981 after initially meeting firstly at Stanhope Show and then at Wolsingham. Linda lived in Aycliffe when she worked at Remploy but after marriage the couple went to live in Frosterley where Lindas worked as a Good Neighbour. Sarah was born there with her birth being referred to as a miracle because Linda had always been told she would never be able to have children. She wanted to be a full-time mam, witnessing Sarah’s first step and the other milestones of childhood.
The family moved into a two-bedroomed house when Linda learned she was expecting another baby. When it was a boy – Steven – they moved again to a larger house to accommodate the growing family. Meanwhile, Linda learned to drive and passed her test first time. She took Sarah and Steven to school. Following clipping the kerb a few times, she gave up!
She began cleaning at the Black Lion, taking the children with her.
Linda spent a lot of time in hospital, not only suffering the after effects of polio but also chronic Crohn’s Disease, which resulted in many operations, and Colitis. But whatever she suffered, her main concerns were always for others. She loved knitting, crocheting and cross-stitch and she gave her support to various local charities, notably Tabitha’s Toys and Independence 4 Disability where she often manned stalls at events.
In her later years, she suffered from Arthritis and although this caused problems when doing her craftwork, she overcame it by increasing the size of the needles. Linda never gave up easily on anything.
Holidays were what the family loved collectively, staying in a caravan at Whitley Bay and later in a flat in Bridlington. Unfortunately, on one of these holidays, Linda took ill and was taken to Scarborough hospital. The family loved Bridlington but when they weren’t able to go there, they did travel to local coastal resorts where Linda and the children watched Kevin in the rockpools.
Linda always put others before herself and was a good listener with friends regularly popping into her home where the kettle was always on. While she listened to others, the cats listened to her – while the dog listened to Kevin.
Their home was shared with a series of re-homed dogs, which they found loving homes for later. But Linda always ensured it was HER who fed the cats because ‘Kevin was not to be trusted’ in case he gave the wrong treats.
She absolutely loved new potatoes, bacon and cabbages as well as a good roast and she loved hospital dramas on TV, despite spending a lot of time herself in such places. Her life was her family, her friends and her cats, opening up her home to those who needed it.
If she was in pain, it was overcome to achieve the happiness of others. She would debate, discuss but in the end, she was always right!
“Linda, you have left a legacy of love and compassion, accepting every challenge, taking every opportunity to live a full and varied life. You will live long in our memories and of those who you loved.,” concluded Dorothy.
She went on to pass the thanks of the family to everyone who had contacted them and prayed for them.
Prayers followed, including the Lord’s Prayer from the congregation followed by time for quiet reflection during the son, ‘You’re Still the One’ by Teddy Swims. Afterwards the congregation stood for the Commendation and Dorothy spoke the traditional Irish Blessing.
Final words were spoken as Linda was Committed before final prayers.
She was a lady of courage, determination and strength who was rarely seen without a happy smile on her face. A Wolsingham lass who will be remembered for a very long time, not only for her love and care of others around her but for the inspiration she was.
The service at an end, the Retirement Collection was in aid of Crohns and Colitis UK, which raised £472 as the congregation left to the sound of more consoling music.
The family took the opportunity through the Weardale Gazette to thank Dorothy Emerson and Charlotte Fleming Funeral Directors for their care, compassion and attention to detail throughout.
