💗 🦋Lesley Ann Horne🦋💗
20.01.62 ~ 21.01.21


Who better than myself to write my life story, as I remember it.
I'll try not to waffle on too long.

In 1962 I was born in Celtic road, Deal. In my nans house, in the front bedroom.
We called my nan mother as she was the hub of our families.

I was the second born to my parents, Cyril and Elizabeth Ashby.
My sister Dawn was two years older, then came Lorraine and then my little brother Christopher.

I remember my childhood being a happy one, we didn't have loads of money but we never went without.
As I grew up I spent a lot of time at my nan, mothers house. As my mum was in and out of hospital with an ulcerated leg and dad was stationed away a lot.
But mother showed me so much love and care that I always said I wanted to be her. Especially cuddly, and years later I got my wish to be a cuddly nanny.

I attended St Mary's school, moving to St Edmunds in Dover then moved to deal secondary making loads of friends along the way.

I met Billy at the tender age of 12 years so yes it progressed to puppy love and then at the age of 17 I was given the most precious gift of our daughter Nicola in 1979. We went on to have my one and only son Jason in 1982. And although my relationship did not last with Billy as we both got together too young we remained firm friends and his family will always be my family, they always treated me as one of their own.

It was difficult raising two young children on my own I was overwhelmed with love for my Nicola and Jason and I would've gone without for them they were my world.

I then met Trevor, my soulmate, who took my children on as his own. He had two children of his own so we became a family. I have always seen his two daughters as my own, Louise and Suzanne, having weekends and family holidays.

In 1988 we were blessed with our own daughter Stephanie, which made our lives complete.

Holidays was always our passion and we would be off traveling the world.

In 1991 Trevor and I married and it truly was the happiest day of my life.

In 1995 I found out I was pregnant with our daughter Samantha, something we had not planned, but when she was born she was the apple of her dads eye and we was both so happy. She was spoilt by her brother and sisters.
Sadly in 2007 our Samantha was killed in a RTC. Losing a child is not something you recover from, she was only 11 years old and it broke our hearts in two. I did not want to live anymore and my body started to shut down, but thankfully our FLO, police officer Nev, got me back on the merry go round as he said I have to live for my remaining children.
I returned to my job at Ripplevale school, but life was not the same. Sadly after a year Trevor and I parted, not because we did not love each other, he was always a good husband and father, but our grief took over our world and we separated. However I still class him as my soulmate as I never found the love that we shared together, I think I knew I never would.

In 2010 I married Phil. He was always a joker and never took life seriously. Our marriage did not last long but I don't regret meeting Phil as I felt I would never smile again and definitely not laugh, but the joker he was he brought me back to life and made me laugh and smile so thanks for that Phil, no regrets.

I have had many jobs through my life, whispers shoe factory, bar work, Haffendons, schools, children in care, care worker, night shifts, anything that fitted into me being a good mum to my children.

In 2010 I took on my greatest role as a foster mum to Tracey. I was never ready to stop being a mum so taking on a 12 year old girl who was challenging and had attitude, was hard to say the least. But we grew to love one another and she will always be my special daughter.
I went on to foster Jordan, Tyler and many respite children.
Not forgetting Bradley who moved in with me in 2016. He has always been hard work, but living with me for years we get each other.

Sadly in 2018 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer and had my bowel removed, and got Winnie, my colostomy bag. I did not care about having a bag, I was just happy my cancer had been removed and I was alive.

However in 2019 on a yearly check it was found to have mastated onto my liver and I was told it was secondary cancer and they was unable to remove or cure. My world fell apart as I was not ready to leave this world, cancer is so cruel.
I have really put up a good fight, attending hospital appointments, chemo appointments, infections and anything it threw at me. In 2020 cancer has gone into both lungs, but I continue to fight. I know my body is getting weaker but I won't stop the fight. But obviously by listening to this, my life story, then the cancer has won the war, but I beat the battles!

My whole life has been my children and my amazing grandchildren. They are all I have lived and breathed for so : Nicola, Jason, Louise, Suzanne, Stephanie, Brandon, Jordan, Ryan, Dylan, Cooper, Sienna and my baby Kobe. Also extended family of foster children and grandchildren and Suzanne's and Louise's children. I promise you I may not be visible to the eye but I will never leave you and I will watch over you all! Always and forever!

My work on earth is done and I need to go up and get lots of cuddles off my Samantha, my mum and mother.
Please don't be sad, think of me with a smile.
I will be at peace and reunited with the ones I love, so don't feel sad for me and live your life to the full. Until we are all reunited.

Sorry I do talk a lot, anyone that knows me knows that.

I'm not saying goodbye, just till we meet again.

Before I sign off I would like to thank everyone who helped and supported me through my cancer journey, Nicola, Kirk, Ja, Natasha, Stef, I would not have got this far without you, love you so much!
My amazing family and friends. The afternoon lunches, texts, phone calls, coffees, all meant so much to me and helped keep me strong and fighting so sending you all my love, hugs and kisses.

Off on my next journey now so all look after one another and please give my children and grandchildren extra hugs. Thank you.

Love always and forever
❤️ Lesley ❤️