FAMILY’S GAVIN & STACEY TRIBUTE TO MUM
THE grieving family of a Welsh mum who died of pancreatic cancer are set to walk 200 miles from Billericay in Essex to Barry in a Gavin & Stacey-inspired tribute.
Pia Eaves (née Armelin) – described as an “extraordinary, inspiring, beautiful, enchanting, elegant and fun-loving” person – died six months ago. Born in Cardiff to Italian parents in 1967, the youngest of six children, she was loved by everyone who knew her, her husband Simon said, and was “always full of joy, smiles and laughter”.
She met Simon while she was attending a girls’ school in Barry and he was attending the equivalent boys’ school, and the couple both later studied at Swansea University before Pia carved a successful career in international corporate banking, an industry she worked in for several years. The couple later spent time living abroad in South Africa, Israel and Dubai and had two children together, Rhiannon and Emilia.
Pia loved spending time with them and with her relatives in Wales and in Italy and is missed by friends and family members around the world.
She loved travelling and was usually the first person to get on the dancefloor at a party or social event.
She also had a passion for fitness, Simon said, having especially enjoyed her work as a “body for life” coach.
Pia was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2020 and passed away 11 months later in September 2021 at the age of 54. Her family say she remained positive and compassionate right until the very end and refused to let her diagnosis disrupt her positive attitude.
In the eulogy Simon read at Pia’s funeral, Simon paid tribute to his wife and said: “There are three simple words that sum up Pia and the impact she left on people – and they are ‘Everyone loves Pia’ – simple but so true.
“It is horrendous that Pia has been taken away from us so early. Pia was more than a wife to me – she was my lifelong partner, my soul mate and best friend – I will miss her desperately.
“The world is a darker place today without Pia in it but our memories of her will live on and her legacy will survive through Rhiannon and Emilia – I feel very lucky and privileged to have known her and share my life with her.”
While Pia’s passing has left a hole in her family and friends’ hearts, they have been wanting to do something to honour her memory and have now decided to walk 200 miles from Essex to Barry in her name, while raising funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK.
They’ve set themselves a goal to raise £100,000 and so far have raised more than £65,000. To donate, visit fundraise.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/ fundraisers/theeavesfamily
Simon and the couple’s children, Rhiannon and Emilia, decided on the route as not only did the comedy series Gavin & Stacey – which was based in Billericay and Barry – help cheer Pia up during her illness, but because she felt a particular connection to the series as many of its settings were places she worked in in Barry as a teenager.
Simon explained: “Following her death, we wanted to do something positive in her memory so we’ve decided to walk 200 miles from Billericay in Essex, to Marco’s Cafe on Barry Island.
“Pia grew up in Barry and her family ran a number of local cafes in the town including Terry’s Cafe in Holton Road and the Softa Freeze Bar, now Marco’s – the site of many scenes from Gavin & Stacey and Stacey’s workplace.”
Alongside Simon, Rhiannon and Emilia, Simon’s brother Kevin Eaves, Pia’s best friend Donna Bliss and sister Paola Matthews will all embark on the epic walk next month.
The team expect the walk to take 12 days, starting on April 20 and finishing on May 1, Pia’s birthday and Pia and Simon’s wedding anniversary.
You can follow their walk www.facebook.com/walkforpia