THE funeral of a lady who had become part of the upper Dale ‘family’ over six decades was held in
her home town of Sunderland.
Victoria, known to friends as Vicky, Taylor was a well-known friend to everyone in the Upper Dale
where she lived for around eight months of every year in her caravan at Westgate. Vicky and her late
husband, Ron, had first come to the Dale after their marriage in 1962 to spend their honeymoon in
St John’s Chapel.
Their family – Sharon, Tania and Ronnie – would grow up here, camping in a family tent at first
before Vicky and Ron managed to buy a static caravan at Westgate. They spent school holidays
swimming in the Wear although after first dipping her toe in, Vicky decided it was ‘too bloody cold’
and was content to sit and watch forever afterwards as Ron splashed about with the kids – many
times in the ‘Ham’ pool at Daddry Shield. The family enjoyed all the Dale had to offer. And they all
made friends from the word, ‘go’. Vicky and Ron were an amiable couple who would never let
anyone pass without a word – and it was always a kind word.
The couple enjoyed going to the pubs, cafes and becoming involved in local groups and attending
events. And there was nothing they wouldn’t give – even the clothes off their backs if they thought it
would help someone.
Ron died in 2019 but Vicky kept to the routine of spending winters in Sunderland and as soon as
the caravan site opened, back to Weardale in time for Easter and staying there throughout the
summer and into show season. She was never lonely, always keeping herself busy with her hobbies
such as knitting and sewing – and she was a member of Busy Fingers, a group who hand-made items
of clothing and other things. These items were sold to raise money for local causes.
Everyone’s lasting memory of Vicky Taylor must surely be her continuous smile – she was rarely
seen without a smile on her face. Happy and contented in her own life, she wanted to make the lives
of others happy too.
At her funeral, held in Sunderland Crematorium, the Celebrant welcomed the large congregation,
including a bus load who had travelled from Weardale. He spoke of Vicky’s kindness, someone who
thought of others before herself. Always seeking out a good cause, someone to help and support.
Vicky was born in Sunderland during the war and brought up with her two brothers in a strict but
loving home. She went out to work at 15 years old at a time when the rock and roll era was in its
heyday and Elvis was top of the pops. It was on a night out when she was 18 that she met her future
husband, Ron, and she said later that she knew from that first meeting that he was the one she
wanted to marry.
Her father wouldn’t let her marry until she was almost of age – and they married a month before
her 21 st birthday. Ron was called up for National Service and was posted to Germany. By that time,
their honeymoon baby, Ronnie, had been born. Later, Ron would be posted to Borneo and also Hong
Kong where their daughter, Sharon, was born. Tania, the youngest, was born when the family
returned to Sunderland.
Ron worked as a painter and decorator and Vicky was a stay-at-home mother. Still they drove to
Weardale, to that first static caravan in Westgate to spend all the school holidays.
Three generations of the family have enjoyed all the Dale has to offer over those years – the
grandchildren love it too. And it was Hannah, the eldest granddaughter, who paid tribute to her
grandmother at the funeral, telling stories of a lady with a huge heart who always had time for her
family.
The Celebrant went on to describe more of Vicky’s life, saying how she made good friends
throughout the Dale and said how she never wasted a minute. She would crochet and knit for the
family, friends and any good cause while watching her favourite programmes Vera and Midsummer
Murders. She also enjoyed reading the Catherine Cookson books too, some set in Sunderland, of
course and some were turned into TV films and shot in Weardale.
Sharon, who now lives in Westgate as does her daughter, Hannah, followed with an emotional
eulogy that perfectly described Vicky as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all. She said how
lucky her brother, sister and herself were to have their mother around all the time with good, home-
cooked meals and how clever she was with handicrafts. Sharon told the story of how her mother had
hand-knitted a ‘Vera’ doll because of her love of watching the popular detective TV series.
Vicky was delighted when the doll won first prize in the handicraft section of the Weardale
Agricultural Show at St John’s Chapel in September 2023. A friend, Anita Atkinson, told Vicky that her
daughter, Ruth, was working on the next episode of Vera to which Vicky asked if Ruth could get the
doll to Brenda. It didn’t quite work out like that but nevertheless, a friend of Anita’s who lived next
door to Brenda on the south coast accepted it through the post and it was presented to Brenda
Blethyn herself.
Vicky’s delight at winning the show was nothing compared to the letter she received from Ms
Blethyn thanking her for the doll.
Sharon continued, saying that her mother did not have a bad bone in her body and was
universally loved by all she had met through her life. Even when she wasn’t well, she wouldn’t admit
it so as not to worry her family. In her final days, it was discovered she was diagnosed with a rare
and aggressive form of cancer and admitted to hospital. Even there, said Sharon, she was orderly,
taking charge of things and making friends with everyone. And just twelve days after the diagnosis,
Vicky closed her eyes for the last time.
Sharon paid tribute to the staff at Sunderland hospital and finally, she appealed to everyone to
treasure and spend time with their mothers – ‘mothers don’t live for ever’. And in Vicky’s own,
usual farewell, she said the words to her mother – ‘Take care, stay safe’.
After music of reflection – Supermarket Flowers’ by Ed Sheeran, the Commendation and Farewell
were spoken and Vicky made her final exit as the curtains closed. The congregation left to the music
of ‘Mama Liked the Roses’ by Elvis Presley.
Born by the river Wear in Sunderland, Vicky Taylor was a Weardalian in body and soul and her
memory will live a long time in the hearts of the people of the upper Dale.
Her family intend to keep her caravan at Westgate going where they will spend time just as they
always have.
Thanks for being you, Vicky…thanks for the memories.
