Our Departed

Annamaria Giuliani 6th April 2001

"As you know Peter, Stef was like a sister to me and if I feel

devastated now I cannot imagine how you and the children might feel right

now. I can only hope that your strong faith and time will help you in coping

with the worst loss that you can possibly have in life: that of a spouse and

mother of your children. I know that words are of little use in such

occasions. I do hope though that somehow, with time you will all find the

strength to move on and start your new life back in the UK. Alexander and I

will try our best to be in Newmarket for the funeral service later this

month. Last night my thoughts when back 18 years ago when Stephanie first

arrived in Modena. When she left six month later we had become so close

friends that I couldn't describe the happiness she gave to me in the

everyday life. In the following 10 years we had lots of occasions to meet. I

still remember when I met you for the first time when I visited her in the

summer of 1990. That week spent travelling by car with her was one of the

most enjoyable of my life. It was so easy for her to put everyone at ease

and her laughter was so contageous.... Then came your wedding in 1992: my

parents, Stefano and I had a great time and loved being with you on the most

important day of your life as a couple. Then came our great holiday to South

Africa in 1997: we couldn't get a better picture of your life there without

the tips and helps in the organization that you and Stephanie gave us!

Thanks to you both (and the children) we could really get a glimpse of the

REAL Africa: thank you again for your warm hospitality and friendship. Then

we have to mention the last time we met all of you: on the occasion of our

Wedding in Modena! It was one of the most incredible things for me to get

the confirmation of your arrival: William was just 3 monts old and you

arranged to come to Italy with the whole family just for a long week-end. I

will never forget that, now more than ever before. It is true that that you

can 'measure' real friends not by the frequency you meet them but mostly by

the quality of the times you manage to spend together! Peter, I do hope that

in spite of the distance we will have opportunities to be in touch in the

future. I am not the one who has to tell you how great Stephanie was: you

chose her as the woman of your life and the mother of your three wonderful

children. Sometimes I find it really hard to believe that her destiny was

written in such a tragic way. I want to believe that now she is somewhere,

close to her own mother and she can watch over you and pray that you will be

fine."

Cathy and Will Mosely (Hall)

" Stephanie will always be in my heart as one of the most vibrant, intelligent, positive people I know. I have so many happy memories of her but at the moment they make the grief hard to bear. She was such a special person."

Chris and Shiao-Ling Cave Jones

"A great light in the world has gone out, but we will pray for you and the

children and ask that you find the strength to carry on."

Annette Bos April 6th 2001

"The warmth you and Stephanie surrounded was very visible and made me feel very

welcome. I discovered Stephanie's humor, drive and energy, which were

very inspiring for me (and I am sure many others!)."

Titti Speroni 6th April 2001 Italy

I'll remember Stephanie forever.

Anna and Umesh Chauhan 6th April 2001

"There are so many happy memories of our time with you, how you welcomed us

into your home, without question. We feel privileged to have known such a

loving family, with such energy and drive."

Ruth Lloyd and Caroline and Bob Jones 06 April 2001

"Stephanie was a a very special person who will

live on in our memories. We were privileged to have known her."

Mike Denise Ruth and Tanya Dews 05 April 2001 South Africa

" Her sense of life can never be replaced. Stephanie's humour and bubbly nature will

be missed by all who knew her."

Franca Pio, Family e Nonna Marisa 5th April 2001 Italy

"We can find no words to express our feelings except "vi vogliamo bene " and pray with you.

Stephanie has been so nice to us all and a spell of sun for my family. She has been special to my kids and we all loved her deeply. We enjoyed so much having you with us for Annamaria's wedding. Roberto, Francesca and Giulia will always remember their English "tata". She has always been one of the family. I remember her smile, her strength, her sense of humour, her super Italian accent, her love

for life.

She will always be with us forever."

Deborah and Eric 5th April South Africa

"The first thing we noticed when we met Stephanie in Nongoma was how much love she put into making everything work; how she would seek the joy, the humour, the lessons in every occasion. Stephanie really knew how to value the moment.

We value the times we all spent together ­ in Nongoma where Peter turned tables into trains for the children; in Ulundi, where two-year-old Anna climbed on top of Stephanie and almost into her breakfast to declare 'I love you so much Mummy'; in Durban at our wedding where it meant so much that you could join us. If we have so many fond recollections of so few meetings, we know that you and all your family have a treasury of memories that will enrich and strengthen you"

Carolyn Holden 5th April 2001

"There don't seem to be any words I can use to try

and comfort you at the moment or to express my personal agony .....Stephanie has always been the one to articulate my thougts and translate them into meaningful words! She has always been reliably my source of strength and best friend at all times.....I will miss her so very,very much.

My whole family are praying for you ...Simon ,my parents and Julia.We are all clinging on to our own private memories of times in the past and what an incredibly loving and special person Stephanie was with very rare qualities that made everyone around her feel special too."

Leigh Wilson 5th Apri 2001

"I am broken-hearted for all of you. I have always

felt such love for you both. I've been so glad that Stephanie and I stayed

close after you went to South Africa, because such special things had made

us friends in the first place. She was extraordinary."

Mike and Jean Adkins 5th April 2001

"Our memory of Stephanie was a person who had a lovely smile, someone full

of life, fun and laughter. Your children must have adored her. We know

from her mails during your illness last year how she felt for you"

Steve Clark 5th April 2001

"You know she was a star, a very special star and together you always brought light and laughter."

Jane Edwards and Rob Miller 4th April 2001

"I can?t believe that Stephanie will not be around any longer? we were so

looking forward to her being back in the UK and close enough for a chat

and visit.

At least we are filled with many beautiful memories of weekends in
Nongoma and many weekends with you all in our home in Durban; of a
chauffeur to our wedding; of beautifully thought out presents planned
many months in advance; of basket buying trips to Hlabisa; and of
course breast feeding advice! For these memories we are so thankful.
Yet these thoughts fill me with tears. Stephanie will always be a very
special person in our hearts."

Isabel Miller USA

"Yes, I remember the Glovers very well, especially

Stephanie. In the very short time I was there she took time to show me

around the town and the school where she was working She told me how she

had married Peter knowing that she was taking on his passion for working

in Africa but not really knowing what the consequences would be to her.

I recognized that the community was even more primitive and limiting

for her than Taiwan had been when I first went there. I could see why she

was so appreciative of the little luxuries Jane brought to her.

I felt that it took an extraordinary woman to have made all the

necessary adjustments with such success and good spirit Later when we

made the trip to see the basket makers she took time to explain to me

the finer points and characteristics of the baskets.

The vignette I saw of their lives, and especially Stephanie, made one of
my most vivid memories of that visit to Africa. Books have been written
about less remarkable individuals."

Ashufta Alam April 4th 2001 Nigeria

"Today, Annesh and I have been talking to

each other about our memories of Steph. Annesh remembered the weekend with

you all and Carol in Cape Vidal a few years ago, before William was born.

Stephanie was extremely proud to show off her new Formula One T-shirt and

baseball cap.

I have many memories of Steph's magic quality of completely captivating her

audience with her witty and humorous anecdotes. Her total love and

dedication to you Peter and Anna, Edward and William has always seemed like

a stunning light, leaving others in complete awe and with hope. I will

remember her as one of the strongest, passionate and funny people I have

ever known. I think many people have aspired to be more like her (I have).

We feel blessed to have shared in her life."

Steve & Barbera Harvey April 4th Kimberly South Africa

"You know that we loved Stephanie dearly. It is such a shock, after spending such a lovely weekend with you at Sun City. If there is anything, absolutely anything that we can do to help, just say so. We will be for ever indebted to Stephanie for the warmth and kindness and excellent dinners that we shared in Nongoma. It was Stephanie and you that made all the difference when we lived there. Barbara is going book a flight up to attend the service. She would be happy to stay on for a few days to help with the kids, if you would like that. Just let us know. I'm sorry that I will never get the chance to get even with her at Balderdash. Next time I was going to finally win."

Peter & Renu April 4th 2001

"Although it is quite a while since we have seen Stephanie, her bright, bubbly enthusiastic personality and incredible warmth and generosity towards us during our sometimes difficult time in South Africa, is still fresh in our memories. We can still hear her laughter and see her smile. Happy times were had in Nongoma with you all."

Sally Lloyd April 4th 2001

"The girls are talking lots about Stephanie and all the family, lots of

questions about funerals and wakes and how we must celebrate as well as be

sad. They have lots of ideas for treasure boxes to help remember someone so

special (not sure we could find a box big enough or a bed high enough to

accomodate it !!)."

Dave and Lindi Still April 4th 2001

" It was a privilege to have known Stephanie,

and we will always remember her with great affection."

Anya 4th April 2001 Hlabisa, South Africa

"Stephanie was one in a million and will be greatly missed."

Anthony Bradbury April 4th 2001 Columbia

For Pete and For Stef.

If I could hold you now, I'd hug you so much,
I'd hold you so tightly, that I'd feel your heart burst witne.
If I could be there now........

If I could see your face, I'd look so hard,
I'd see you so deeply, that I'd feel your tears searing theof my eyes,
If I could be there now........

God only knows, and that's our strength, God only knows why God only knows when.....,

Oh I can see her now, I can see her so fresh,
I can see her so clearly, I can feel her smile here within Oh I can see her now.......

Oh I can see her now, on that first day at Dom's,
that old f-hole guitar and she just bounced into the room

And I see her now, stroking hairs on Papo's head,
bursting bubbles as she came, all my natural reserve just bway

And I can see her now, so much of God running round her heaSo much of God running round her heart, just love and joy

If I could hold you now, I'd hug you so much,
I'd squeeze you so tightly...and thank God with all my hearletting me share time with you.

----------------- o -----------------

The most that you can ever say of anyone is that they'd so
much love there wasn't time enough to share it.

---------------- o ---------------

Brendan Bailey 3rd April 2001

"My abiding memories are of Steph laughing and taking on anyone who dared. I especially remember many times when she was trying to get Father Dominic to be a bit tidier and usually resorted to telling him off in Italian! He was suitably chastened."

Last update: Tuesday, 11 September 2007

Published in : Memorials,

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