Gill Turrell
My mum, Gill, was one of the nicest, kindest and most caring people you could ever hope to meet. She was completely family-orientated, the centre of everything and everyone, and somehow managed to be a mum, friend, teacher and nurse all rolled into one. She had a funny, silly side, too; she never took herself too seriously and could always make us laugh.
Gill Turrell’s story has kindly been shared by her youngest son, Nick Jarrold.
Family photo: Steve, Gill, Dan, Nick & Charlotte.
Mum had this way of guiding us gently into adulthood without ever making it feel like she was teaching us, she just led by example, showing us what it meant to be kind, patient and very thoughtful.
After she passed away, I learned something about her that really surprised me; when she was younger, she once bunked off school to hitchhike to London with a friend. It made me smile so much because it reminded me that even though she was sensible, she had a mischievous streak too. She wasn’t just our mum, she was her own person, full of life and curiosity.
Everyone who knew Mum only ever had good things to say about her. She had this warmth that drew people in and made them feel instantly comfortable. Whether it was a small act of kindness, a listening ear or just her smile, she had a gift for making people feel cared for. You couldn’t meet anyone better, she truly had a kind heart and a loving smile, just as her inscription says.
Christchurch Park is such a special place for us as a family because Mum loved being outdoors. We spent countless hours there over the years; walking, chatting, riding bikes, playing and just being together. She loved the park as a whole; there wasn’t one particular spot she favoured she just enjoyed the peace, the laughter of families and the dogs running about (especially the ones not listening to their owners). Having her bench there means the world to us. It gives us a permanent place to come and remember her, and we planted a tree just behind it, a little piece of life growing on in her memory.
I often come to the bench alone, especially on Mother’s Day, her birthday or Christmas. Sitting there helps me feel close to her. I’ve had my struggles with mental health over the years, and when I visit, it brings me calm and helps me re-centre. I like to think about what she’d say if she saw the spot, I know she’d love it, watching families together, the dogs misbehaving and the stillness of the park around her.
Sometimes when I come by, someone else is sitting on her bench, and that always makes me smile. I like that it’s used. I hope people see her name and wonder who she was. If I could leave one message for anyone who sits there, it would be to remember that these benches are dedicated to real people, to treat them with care and respect, as if they were for someone in your own family.
Mum’s spirit, her humour, her kindness, her love of family still runs through all of us: me, Dan and Charlotte and their children. She’s with us in the little things every day, in the laughter, in the warmth and in the way we try to share with others.
In loving memory of Gillian Elizabeth Turrell (1950–2006) by Nick Jarrold.
You can find Gill’s bench at the bottom of Hippy Hill in Christchurch Park, Ipswich. what3words ///causes.famed.swan
In honour of their mum and the wonderful care she received, Nick and his family have continued to raise money for St Elizabeth’s Hospice, raising over £20,000 to date.
St Elizabeth Hospice improves life for people with a progressive illness. Their work centres around individual needs, with specialist support, wherever required, at home, in the community or at the hospice. Each year the hospice needs to generate £12.9m, of this 70% comes from the local community.
Charity Registration No. 289154 | www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk
Nick wanted to share that Genesis Orwell Mencap made his mum’s bench. A local Ipswich charity workshop where people with disabilities craft beautiful, meaningful furniture. orwellmencap.co.uk | 01473 723888.
