Karen Pickup nee Whittingham
“There are some who bring a light so great to the world, that even after they have gone the light remains.” Karen sadly passed away at home on 6th October aged 43 years. Kaz was the beloved wife of Jamie, much loved “adopted” daughter to Ju and much loved big sis to Matt and Rob.
Kaz, her beloved Jamie and ‘our Ju’ had very little time to prepare for her death, but
unbelievably, Kaz organised everything including meeting with Joseph O’Connell to
discuss her wishes and despite her rapid decline, she found the strength to hang on
to life long enough to allow special people to enjoy their birthday’s – as best they
could because she was determined not to ruin their day – especially in the future.
Instead, she passed away on 6 th October, the day of ‘Aud’s funeral. Her dear mum
died around thirteen years ago but since then our Ju stepped up to the mark as a
devoted ‘adopted’ mum.
Kaz is and always will be a wonderful wife, she and Jamie crammed more into their
ten years than many manage in a lifetime. She was devoted to her mum Aud and
very close to her late Auntie Nance – took them every Thursday evening to Ju’s for
their regular Vodka night. Kaz adored ‘Our Ju’ and being quite close in age to Ju’s
two sons. Matt and Rob, she has always been their loving sister.
She thought the world of Ju’s grandchildren, Katie, Shaun, Finley and Toby, very
proud of Katie racing stock cars but treated them all alike, no matter what the
occasion whether it be Christmas or Birthdays, they all had the same value gift.
Jamie has three children Thomas, Molly and Laurel, Kaz loved them all.
There were so many special people in Kaz’s life, her good time gals, Debbie, Jane,
Jo and Mand –alternate Saturday nights out split between them and Jamie! And a
mention to her mum’s dearest friends Ann, Ken, Pat and Mick who enjoyed holidays
with Kaz, Jamie and Ju.
Welcomed into the world on 8 th March forty-three years ago, Kaz was Aud’s only
child, but always felt part of a larger family because Auntie Nance hardly ever took
Matt and Rob out without her. She apparently went to Australia a couple of times as
a child. After leaving school, she worked in the offices at UK Fuels in Sandbach until
she secured a significant training role in in Barclays at Gadbrook Park, Northwich.
She was made redundant several years later but remained in Gadbrook Park when
she started at FMG.
She and Jamie had known each other for years and finally got together in 2012 with
Jamie moving in just a matter of months later. Kaz wanted the fairytale wedding and
got it – after a mad saving spree, they married at Haslington Hall on 23 rd November
2013 on a stunning autumnal day with a blanket of leaves on the ground and not a
spot of rain followed by a fabulous honeymoon in Cape Verde.
Travelling extensively up to four times a year, they visited places like Lanzarote,
Cyprus, Turkey, Greece and Benidorm with city breaks around Europe, Budapest,
Prague and Ju would get the phone call, book your annual leave, we are going on
holiday.
Kaz was a character, she had so many wonderful facets to her personality, feisty and
strong but loving and funny, impatient at times because she was so ill but incredibly
grateful, a passion for holidays yet she loved her home and what a lovely, homely
feel it has.
She loved shoes, clothes and accessories, wardrobes jam packed full! She fell in
love with caravanning, much to the surprise of everyone who knew her and she had
a passion for 80’s music.
She would have been so proud to see the packed chapel not only mourning her but
paying tribute to her achievements, her unique personality and most of all,
supporting Jamie and Ju at such a difficult time.
Karen’s funeral will take place on Thursday 20th October at Crewe Crematorium Chapel at 1.45pm.
Donations in memory of Karen will be gladly received for Macmillan Cancer Support.
For further information and to offer your condolences, please telephone our funeral home on 01270 584447