Pat was my mother's aunt which technically makes her my "great" aunt and a great aunt she was!! I was fortunate travel to England from the US the first time when I was just 12 years old. While my Mum and I stayed at Pat's house, I soon grew to appreciate this unique character and memorable woman. With her special brand of wit she taught me that "garborator" was more correct than the American "garbage disposal" and relished making me laugh with proper English phrasing compared to my slow American accent.  She fed me my first Cornish pasty and taught me to make chutney. She is the only person I have ever known that had a tortoise living in her garden. She took me to Harrod's for tea. Every year she wrote to me at Christmas. She was so very kind. She was so very funny.

I returned to Aunt Pat and Uncle Donald's house many times over the years since that first trip. Those visits to Portsmouth are part of what makes England special to me. Pat was exceedingly welcoming and gracious to me, to my friends, to Eric (my now husband), my children and whomever I happen to show up with on her doorstep. I will treasure the memories of time with Pat and of Donald. It gives me peace knowing they are now somewhere bantering about something and giggling together.