Jimmy was the centre of the family, a loving father and husband. He shared eight children with his wife Rebecca. Last October Jimmy collapsed at home after falling unwell with covid. He was rushed to hospital but quickly deteriorated and the next day was put on life support and suffered further complications. Jimmy was cared for at Frimley Park and then Guys and St Thomas hospital.
Very sadly Jimmy died on 18th December 2021.
“He’s left behind the biggest hole in all our lives, forever broken all our hearts.
Between us we have 8 beautiful children.
He worked so hard, raised my children as his own, provided, protected and loved with all of him.
His level of loyalty is rare!
He called us the ‘Brady Bunch’
And what a beautiful blended family we were!
Without him now we will forever be lost.
There are no words to explain what he means to us and how much we all love him and oh how we shall miss him”
Rebecca Grayson (Jimmy's wife)
"He loved to love and loved to be loved"
Marie (Jimmy's mum)
Memorial casting is something I’m very passionate about, it enables families to have tangible memories of their loved ones. After Jimmy died, I was contacted by his mum about a hand cast for her daughter in law. I cast Jimmy's hand at the funeral directors. Rebecca had asked that if possible that I cast his left hand with his wedding ring. Unfortunately it wasn’t possible cast his wedding ring on his hand but I took a separate mould of his ring hoping I might be able to do something with it later.
Rebecca wasn’t sure exactly how she wanted to display and finish the cast, but I thought it might be nice if we displayed their hands together. So six months after Jimmy had died Rebecca came to my studio and I cast her holding the cast of Jimmy's hand. It was quite emotional but Rebecca chatted to me about Jimmy and their children while I took the cast. Later that week I was able to make a copy of Jimmy's wedding ring which I will add to the cast before I paint it.
I’m so pleased with the cast and that Rebecca and her children will have this beautiful cast as a beautiful memorial to Jimmy forever.
