Thank you to everyone who donated so generously in Joanne Coverley’s memory. The funds received have helped RNIB to continue to be there for anyone affected by sight loss, such as through our Eye Care Liaison Officer service. Last year we provided emotional and practical support from the moment of diagnosis to over 60,000 blind and partially sighted people, helping them to face the future with confidence. Thank you.

Joanne Coverley Eulogy Joanne was the first born child to Diane and John. Born on the 17th October1980, Joanne was the only sibling until the family was blessed with her sister Katy 6 years later. A Mossley girl through and through, Joanne attended St. Josephs RC Primary school, before continuing her secondary education at St. Damian’s RC High School. It was during this time that Joanne and I met, while working at our part time jobs at the Hartshead Inn. Normally, I would work Thursday & Saturday evenings but in the summer of 1996, while picking up extra shifts, destiny would bring Joanne into my world and we crossed paths for the first time. I was immediately smitten. Occasionally, the bosses at the Hartshead Inn would hold a staff party, so I made it my mission to pull Joanne! It was obvious to all who worked with us, that I was determined to ask Joanne out, and this did not go un-noticed by her mum (who also worked in the kitchen there). Eventually, Joanne caved in and we went on our first date to the cinema. It might have been the fact that I could drive (& pick her up from school!) but we never looked back from that day on. We are the archetypal childhood sweethearts. Our relationship officially began on 2nd September 1996. Our love continued to grow through the years, Joanne was a rock behind me while I completed my studies – often taking second best to my dedication to college & University. I often told Joanne I would repay all her support and when the opportunity finally came, we headed out to Greece for a month in the summer of 2000, on a backpacking adventure. The world was our oyster and our future lives were forged during this period. We were so deeply in love that we could not bear to be apart when we returned home. I could not imagine a world without Joanne in my life, so much so that I asked Joanne to do me the honour of being my wife in September 2000 – she said yes!! Our lives had truly begun and in March 2001, Joanne announced to me that we were to become a family!! We were expecting the birth of our special princess Aimee in November 2001. Life had certainly got serious, but we were so happy and ready to share our love with Aimee that we needed to find our family home. By chance, Joanne happened to be walking through Carrbrook Village and saw a property at 17 Buckton Vale Mews for rent – she told me and we immediately put the deposit down so we could move in. Aimee was born on the 24th November 2001 – and a new chapter had started for our family. Joanne and I were married on 1st September 2006. We had both chosen a beautiful venue and decided to marry 10 years to the day since we first began dating, as near as could be! Joanne took my breath away that day – she looked absolutely stunning in her wedding dress and I felt like the luckiest man in the world. Our lives were complete - we had the whole future ahead of us to grow and make limitless memories as man & wife, mum & dad, and as a family. Joanne and I have been together almost every day for 27 years. To say that I will forever miss her is the understatement of the century. She was my best friend. She was my life partner. She was mum to our amazing daughter Aimee. She was the woman her made our house a home. She was and is my soul mate. There will never be anyone who can fill the void that Joanne leaves behind. We are left with the abiding memories of her love, her infectious & beautiful smile, her crazy laugh, her times of compassion & support, the lessons she taught us but most of all, the memories that we have all made during her lifetime. Joanne loved life and I hope that she got to live all of her dreams, before she was cruelly taken from us far too soon. To Joanne: I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the love of my life. I will cherish all of our memories and I promise that I will take good care of our daughter and continue to make you proud. I will never forget you, the special memories we made and the deep love that we felt for one another. Sweet Dreams Baybee – until the day we meet again, I love you, Steven xxx

Thank you for always sticking up for me when we were young! And letting me hide out in your room annoying you! We might have not seen each other as much now we're older but I'll cherish my memories of my protector, style icon and fountain of knowledge. Lots of love always xxxx