Light a candle tonight in their memory
THESE are just some of the faces of loved ones Nottinghamshire families have lost to Covid-19 this year.
According to Government figures, there have been 2,346 Covid deaths across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire up to March 21 since the start of the pandemic.
On our website, nottinghamshire.live, we asked you to pay tribute and remember those who lost their lives to the virus this year.
Thank you to everyone who contacted us with your tributes.
JENNIFER LAING was 70 years old and died in January.
She was originally from Wales but lived in Nottingham for 52 years. She was a former carer for 30 years.
Her daughter said: “Mum, life will never be the same without you here, you were such a kind caring mum and nan.
“Our days are not the same without you here. We love and miss you always our lovely Welsh lady xxxxx.”
ALAN RICHARDSON, 81, died on January 16. He was born in Radford and lived in Bilborough.
His family told us: “A beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Hard-working family man who made everyone laugh with his stories of when he laid down pathways around Wollaton Park and around Nottingham. Will always be loved and have very fond memories of the time we spent together. He will be truly missed.”
MARTIN ANTHONY, 56, died on
February 8.
His daughter wrote: “My father had a big heart. Even though he was very reserved he had a lot to give. He had his family of three children, grandchildren and also his work family at BT. He enjoyed collecting vinyls a bit too much. He will be greatly missed.”
KELVIN ADKINS, 72, was a retired plasterer from Bakersfield.
His family wrote: “Kelvin was a man we all treasured. He will be well and truly be remembered by so many people. He was such a witty yet kind man and he has been missed greatly – we all love you Kelvin never forget that x.”
DIANE MARY HEMBURY was 68 years old and from Beeston Rylands. She was a former emergency department worker at the QMC.
Her family wrote: “A dearly missed mum, nanny, sister, auntie and friend. Diane was a hardworking, loyal and generous person who thought the world of her four young grandsons who gave her so much joy.
“We miss her so much and our lives will never be the same again now she’s left us far too soon.”
RAY CLARK was 94 and from Clifton.
His family said: “Ray was just simply a great dad, grandad. A huge hole left in our hearts which is impossible to fill. We all miss you lots and think of you every day.”
TINA COOKE, 53, was a shop worker from Kimberley.
Her brother wrote: “You’re more than my sister, you was the rock of the family, never get over the last conversation we had in hospital. Missed by so many people. Love you forever.”
PAUL ATTRIDGE, of Nottingham, was 65 when he died.
His wife wrote: “My English Brit guy, my gentleman with a twist. You impacted so many in your life, you will never be forgotten. I miss you.”
SHIRLEY ADCOCK, of Bramcote, died aged 84.
Her family said: “Mum, Nana taken way to soon. So wanted for you to see your grandchildren marry and maybe become a great nana. Sadly this was not meant to be but you will be included in everything we do. Love you and we will meet again.
“Nana, we all miss you so much and had no chance to say a proper goodbye, thank you for having the biggest heart, giving the best advice and always stocking the cupboard in the hall with the best food. Thank you for being the best, life isn’t the same without you, but we will all continue to try and make you proud.
“You will be forever in our thoughts and conversations, you were loved beyond measure and will never be forgotten. Love and miss you, Leigh-anne, Ben, Fran, Victoria and Owen xxxxx.”
IRIS OAKES, 77, was a housewife from Aspley who died on February 14.
Her family said: “Our mum was a tough cookie. She has fought her way through many illnesses and survived but unfortunately Covid has taken her.
“Mum left us all on Valentine’s Day and we like to think mum went to dad as his Valentine gift as we lost dad two years before.”
JANICE MAYFIELD, 80, lived in Carlton and died on January 5.
Her granddaughter said: “RIP to
my wonderful Nan, finally reunited with Grandad. I will remember you both always.”
DENIS HALES, 79, of Mansfield, was a retired drayman.
His family said: “He was loving husband. Father, brother and friend He will be missed by all of us.”
GILLIAN SMITH, 76, of Bramcote, not pictured, was a machinist for Wades.
Her family wrote: “Our mum was our world. She was sadly taken from us in April.
“She left two loving daughters, Nicola Smith and Joanne Ward. There is never a day that goes by where we don’t think of her.
“It was heartbreaking to see her go through what she did and we felt helpless. Not being able to see her until it was, too late was heartbreaking. She was a wonderful person who thought of others rather then herself.”
DAVID ANTHONY SMITH, 67, was a retired procurement manager for the NHS.
He was from Hucknall and died on January 6.
His family said: “Loving partner, father, grandfather and friend. dearly missed.
“Our lives will never be the same again. Then, now, forever Forest.”
To mark one year since our lives were radically changed, the flag on the Council House will be lowered to half-mast and the city will observe a one-minute silence from noon.
And this evening, the Council House and Wollaton Hall will be lit up in a colourful rainbow to mark the anniversary and look to a more hopeful future, with everyone encouraged to join in from home by lighting a candle in their window or doorstep.
A FAMILY have shared touching memories of their grandma who died after testing positive for coronavirus.
Gillian Smith, who was known for caring for others, passed away on April 26 last year at the age of 76. Before retirement, she worked as a machinist and lived in Rufford Avenue, in Bramcote.
Her death has left a significant void in the lives of her family - and her daughter and granddaughter paid tribute as the country marks a year since the first lockdown.
Her heartbroken daughter Nicola Smith, 52, said: “She always thought of others, rather than herself - the type of person who would listen to people’s problems.
“She kept herself very much to herself as well.
“I was very, very close [with her mum] - and when she did pass away it hit us quite badly, it just leaves a big void in your life.”
She added: “We are OK, we are there for each other - life has to go on, doesn’t it.
“It is quite surreal when you sit and think I am never going to see her again.”
Grandma Mrs Smith’s late husband Gordon, who used to work in engineering, died at the age of 72 in 2013.
Their daughter Mrs Smith, who works in administration and lives in Godfrey Drive, Kirk Hallam, explained her mum had underlying health conditions.
She said after her mum’s admission to the Queen’s Medical Centre in March last year - because of breathing difficulties associated with her COPD - she tested positive for coronavirus while in hospital.
“COPD and Covid do not go together - that was what I was told from the off,” said Mrs Smith, who is married to husband Scott Smith, a 49-year-old bus driver.
“The situation was getting worse, we could not go in to see her either which made things worse.
“We could only go in to see her when they turned around and said to us she has only probably got a day to live. By then it was too late, it was like she was not my mum - we could not go and see her when she was actually awake.”
Laura Clarke, 28, who lives in Ridgeway Drive, Kirk Hallam, also shared some of her memories.
The health care assistant said: “My mum had me quite early, I spent every weekend at my grandma and grandad’s.
“She was like a second mum to be honest, that’s why I took it so hard when she passed away. Towards the end of her life she needed quite a lot of care.
“They used to take me to Legoland in Windsor a lot when I was a lot younger.
“Then we used to go to the coast like Skegness or Mablethorpe.”
She added: “I feel that I can talk about it now without getting as upset as I did before.
“Before I could not speak about it, I found it too difficult.
“I was saying to my partner earlier it’s not easy - obviously I still think about her every single day.”
A spokesman for Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed Mrs Smith tested positive for coronavirus on admission to ward B48 at the QMC on April 8 last year.
A deputy sister on B48 said: “Our condolences go out to Gillian’s family and we wish them the best during this difficult time.”
Mrs Smith also leaves behind her daughter Joanne Ward and her two sons.