This letter is order to express my humility, and our family’s gratitude, with regard to the sheer volume of cards, letters, and donations which we have received following the devastating loss of my darling Marilyn.

The attendance at Marilyn’s service, at St Nicholas, Bromham, last Thursday was of the immense scale normally reserved for locals. I feel that Marilyn would be overjoyed, but somewhat embarrassed at the turnout which she achieved.

Hopefully we will now gradually lose the mantle of ‘the Northern Couple’ as we have been known, and continue to be made even more welcome within this wonderful community which we have been so proud to call home.

I write in the plural, as Marilyn is still here with me in the town which we love so much. Our three sons, Mark, Robin and Andrew, have cast off their northern roots, as home us so truly where the heart is.

We particularly wish to thank Dorothy House Hospice, The Hospice at Home nurses, The Lansdowne Surgery, Devizes community district nurse team, Rowlands Pharmacy, Macmillan Cancer Support, the Great Western Hospital (indeed the entire NHS including the sterling service which we received from 111). They never let us down.

Marilyn’s wonderful send-off could not have been achieved without the skills of Norma Fergusson, St Nicholas Church, Bromham, D J Bewley, Lorna McIlroy, the Fletcher family and staff at Foxhangers, Perfect Petals, Annie’s Mobile Catering and Bromham Social Centre.

Thank you to all our old friends, and the new friends who we have made through this.

Remember that caring is to share a burden, and help spread the load. Little things are so important. Dolly Parton says: “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.”

Chris Greenwood, Devizes.