Jodie Adams

Celebration of Jodie Meri Adams 20th December 2006

Thank you all for coming here today to celebrate the life of Jodie Meri Adams
We have to say Meri not Merry as Jodie thought it sounded French and classy.

Jodie a beautiful girl, inside and out with an inner strength that astounded us all.

From her early years she enjoyed playing, coaching and teaching sport. She was selected to represent Kettering and Northants County in Swimming, Hockey and Netball.  If you are ever in the foyer of Kettering swimming pool you will see her name on the board for the fastest time in 1994.  One summer whilst at university she went to America with Damon her friend and fellow student to teach youngsters aged 6-8 the art of soccer. So if America ever wins the World Cup we will know whom to blame.

Another of Jodies’ passions was travelling, a bug she caught from a very earlier age after spending 21/2 years in Jakarta, Indonesia. Even though she had a shortened life she managed to visit every continent. When she was nearly sixteen she went to South Africa to be a bridesmaid to her cousin Andrea. During her visit her Uncle John took her to Krugger Park where she developed her love of Hippos and she has been collecting them ever since.
A true sun worshipper, one family holiday in Cuba, Heather & Trev were not even sure if it was their daughter they brought home, she was so tanned.

After having radiotherapy in 2005 and with the reductions of her medication she was able to lead a “Normal” fun loving lifestyle. Jetted off to Monte Carlo on Stacey’s hen weekend, with Stacey, Lisa Little Jodie (named after Big Jodie as she was known), Lorraine, Emma, Liz and Lyndsay and all the mothers. Where they danced the night away at the Caramel Club whilst sipping bottles of vintage Dom Perignon – Not brought by the group I might add.

In the summer, Wimbledon another destination, where she saw Tim Henman possibly win his last five setter, however this annoyed Jodie as he took so long that Andy Roddick did not get on court due to the bad light when the time ran out.

Also in July at Stacey wedding laughing and joking with, yes you guessed it a glass of Champagne again – think she had acquired the taste, who could blame her.

Barcelona was next, another hen night for Nadine. Then she had the honour of being Nadine’s bridesmaid, one of her best friends. A picture in pink, and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, catching up with many of her old friends.

She was crazy about Take That and when they reformed, guess who got tickets and went to watch them perform. Paul was dragged along on this occasion instead of her Dad unlike the first time, when she saw them at Wembley. It seems fitting that they should now be at number one with their single and their album

Went to London with her mum, where the photo you see on the stationery today was taken. Went on the open top bus, shopping and walking just the two of them, mother and daughter and also best friends.

Treated her family to dinner at “15” a restaurant in London owned by Jamie Oliver, her hero, most of his books can be found in her kitchen. On the night in question, Jamie was there and Jodie to embarassed to approach him got Paul to get his autograph for her.

These are but a few of the thing she accomplished this year. Many of you will already know what else she did.

She thought the world of her brother Sam, and was very protective of him. At 16 he visited her one weekend at Uni to the house she shared with Kathryn, Emma, Anna, Charlotte and Gaz.  When he thrashed all the lads next door on the Computer, pulled on the dance floor of the Student Union and after a very heavy night out had no hang over the next morning she was impressed. Needless to say he was not invited back. Joking apart they were very close, a day didn’t go by without them talking.  There love for each other had grown in statue and that bond will never be broken.

5 years ago after Jodie had graduate with her degree she came to work at ATS and met Paul, the start of their romance, which was kept quiet from Paul’s boss, Jodie’s father.  It was soon out in the open and Paul was Jodie true love. They set up home in Cottingham, where on the weekends they shared with their dog Tetley and Paul’s daughters Molly and Niamph.  She loved to walk her mad dog Tetley a Golden Labrador the escapologist.

Although Jodie did suffer with this terrible illness you would not know it.  She always had a smile and never complained or felt embittered.   At each phase whether good or bad she took the news with such dignity, “Another Curve ball to hit, Ok lets get on with it” she would say.  She even spent her last week calling and talking to all her friends reassuring all round her that she would not give up the fight and was an example to us all.

Jodie could be regular heard telling people of her achievements, one of which was she had achieved a 2/1degree but she achieved it with a Brain Tumour!

Jodie touched everyone’s heart.  Please don’t ever forget her gentle touch. Her smile, her Big twinkling eyes, her sense of humour but most of all her big heart.

For four years she fought it, now she is free. She knew what was in store, and she wasn’t frightened and she wouldn’t had wanted people to cry for her so please dry your eyes and look to the future.

Jodie’s ashes are to be taken to Rome the Eternal City where Paul proposed a short two years ago and her ashes will be sprinkled in the Tiber River.

Jodie lit up our lives. At night look up to the sky for the brightest star and there you will find her, laughing, smiling  & watching over us all.

One and all will miss her. All of you here and others not with us.
Paul has lost his Fiancée.
Sam, has lost his devoted and loving sister.
Heather and Trev, have lost their beautiful daughter. An honour and joy they will always treasure.

Goodnight and god bless.
Our precious daughter, our Princess.
Jodie was and always will be “Simply the Best!

Phil York