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Gran rehearses for her funeral

From the archive, first published Wednesday 26th Oct 2005.

TERMINALLY ill great-grandmother Cynthia Watkins hated the idea of 'missing' her funeral, so she hosted a rehearsal last weekend.

The 80-year-old, from Acre Close, Oxford, suffers from an incurable form of leukaemia and endures painful blood transfusions every three weeks. But she was determined to see all her friends and family together, one last time, and on Sunday (October 24) held a 'Celebration of Life' at The Four Pillars Hotel in Sandford-on-Thames.

"I hated the thought of being at my own funeral, with all my friends and family there and not being able to see them, enjoy a chat and a laugh with them," she explained.

"So a celebration of life seemed like a lovely way to say thank you to everyone for helping me to have such a wonderful life.

"I had always planned to have a party when I reached the age of 80 so still being here is lovely," she said.

Mrs Watkins read a poem, detailing the many highlights of her life and was joined in the celebrations by her son Ieuan, 51, and her daughters Claire Ashfield, 44, and Christine Dopson, 56.

Mrs Dopson, also from Oxford, said: "Although the party was very much about saying goodbye for mum, it was such a happy occasion for her.

"As well as all her family, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, there were friends, past and present, and some of the many doctors and nurses who have and still are giving her wonderful medical care.

"Mum has always been a giver, but she also refuses to be beaten and she wanted to say goodbye on her own terms," she added.

"The nearer she gets to death, the more she knows her funeral will be a celebration.

"She has asked us all to wear bright colours and has planned everything down to the last detail -- even her environmentally friendly cardboard coffin."

Big-hearted Mrs Watkins also wanted her celebration of life to play a part in helping others, so instead of presents, she asked all her guests to donate to one of three charities, including Breast Cancer research.

She said: "My daughter Christine has had two lumpectomies, both thankfully benign, my mother had a mastectomy and Christine's best friend is now very ill with breast cancer, so we wanted to help raise some money for research in this, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"I had a lovely time surrounded by my family and friends, and it was nice to know we were also raising money for a very worthwhile cause."

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