This site is a tribute to Rona Cavaye. A much loved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. 

'The thing about Rona was that all of her friends were best friends.  I’ve heard the phrase “best friend “ so much over the last few days as I have passed on the sad news. 

Love -  that’s another word I’ve heard a lot.  People who knew Rona loved her and perhaps that’s because when you give love you get love and Rona gave a lot of love to everyone she knew

Obviously I have been thinking about our life together and what occurs to me is that we were so young when we first met and that we fell in love so quickly. Three weeks from today it would have been our 40th wedding anniversary but it seems like yesterday that we were getting to know each other and going out on dates or having fun with friends, many of whom are here today.  

I think we knew almost straight away that we wanted to spend our lives together and when we married we became part of each other’s family.  I know that my parents and my siblings all loved Rona as a daughter and a sister and I was welcomed into the Kaffin family as a son and brother.  I can clearly remember that it was impossible to get away from the dinner table without a second plate of food from Sheila, Rona’s mum.  

And family was important to Rona. It seemed to me that she spoke to her parents and also to Lorraine on a daily basis and she was very close to them.  Even though I am frankly devastated by my loss,  I feel so sorry for them.  Especially Gerry, who I have come to think of as a second father but who has now lost his youngest daughter.  

As you all know, a few years after we were married we started our own family, Daniel first and then Kelly.  Rona loved being a mum and she was a great mum. You could tell because Dan’s and Kelly’s friends all seemed to treat her like a second mum.  

As for many in the late 80s and early 90s money was tight after we were married. Interest rates were high and it was hard to pay the mortgage and bills.  Rona gave up her finance job after Kelly was born but she was not one to take it easy.  As well as looking after the children and the house she took on a number of jobs to help make ends meet. Betterware catalogues, organising local paper deliveries and the national census to name just a few. Later on she made and sold jewellery and right up until recently she loved crafting. 

As time went on, Dan and Kelly grew up and met their own partners and both are now married.  I know that Rona was very happy to see them find wonderful partners and I know that she loved Coral and Lee as much as if they were her own daughter and son.  I have to say that I’m delighted to see both couples so happy together.  Most of you must know that Kelly is expecting her first baby in May.  A grandson for Rona and I.  It breaks my heart to know that Rona will not be here to see and hold him but I know that she was so so happy  when Kelly and Lee told us. 

Rona fought cancer for 4 years and throughout that time she was incredibly brave and strong. She always felt pain so acutely but never complained about the painful operations she needed or all the dozens of injections she had to endure. In the end, as for so many people, the battle could not be won but I will be forever grateful for the time we had together and to have been able to share life with Rona. 

We have lost a wonderful wife, daughter, sister, mother, auntie and friend but when she left us she was comfortable and in no pain and she is now at rest.  Now we only have our memories of her but those I will cherish for the rest of my life and I’m sure you will too' 

Kevin Cavaye