I want to thank you all for coming here today to offer your support in our loss. It is much appreciated. Mum was a conscientious and caring mother who did her best for all of us, for which I am deeply grateful. I will cherish the many tender moments I have had with her throughout my life. She was born into a Jewish family, in Vienna in 1924 and they emigrated to London in 1927 when she was 3. She met my father Gordon after the war in London, at philosophy evening classes. Mum was always a teacher at heart, having initially taught in primary school, and developed a lifelong interest in teaching French and German. She ran a language school in an extension to our home in Dundrum for many years. She also loved to be social and often held language school get-togethers when the wine would help people to speak French and German more fluently. She was an advocate of exercise and healthy nutrition and we loved her Viennese cuisine. She and Gordon were keen gardeners and also enjoyed travelling and walking. They often walked around Pearse Park and loved their annual trips to New Zealand to see Sophie and her family for many years. Her Viennese background gave her a love of art and music, and she enjoyed many concerts with Gordon. Whilst we were growing up in Dundrum, both Gwen and Gordon developed their commitment to the Quaker faith, and Gwen kept up this commitment, attending meetings until only shortly before she died. She was a devoted wife to Gordon and nursed him during his final illness to a point of exhaustion, before his death in 2010. She soldiered bravely on for five years after, before her own health finally gave way. During those years, she was cared for in the first year in New Zealand by Sophie and thereafter by Michelle in Rathmines. I believe that both Sophie and Michelle benefitted deeply from the close relationships they had with mum during these periods. After her return from New Zealand I met her most Sundays for walks and tea in Pearse Park, and we enjoyed many outings together or with my family in Bewley’s restaurant. She was very determined, and walked every day and went to the gym, as the most senior member, up until the last 9 months of her life. After this my visits were confined to her house. Although I did my best for her I never felt it was enough. I think it was Colm Tobin who likened the love between a mother and child, to a cable deep under the sea. Gwen’s love for her three children, Michelle, Sophie and myself has remained deep and constant, underneath the storms, and each of us in turn loved her. Mum loved children and adored each and every one of her grandchildren. Now she is no longer living, I feel a deep connection with her spirit in my heart and through her, with God. Love and belief in God can only be felt and expressed through the heart, and not through rational thought alone. Goodbye Mum, and thank you; I am so sorry for all the troubles you have endured. May you now rest in peace.   Mum, I will keep you in my heart, now pure and free from troubles. May your love guide me through the remainder of my life, and keep me focused on God’s will. I will cherish your love always, and never forget you. May you rest in peace. Matthew 22 37-39 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 John 4:18-19 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.