Despina's daughter-in-law Ruth ('Caterina' as Despina knew her) shared her thoughts and a poem at the graveside: "Despina was a fun-loving, kind and affectionate woman and anyone who met her could see and experience that right away. She made me feel like the daughter she never had. Despina, Mario and I spent a lot of time together, as she bravely visited us often on her own. She used to joke when we went out that everyone who saw us must think Mario and I are brother and sister because of our dark curly hair. Despina and Mario loved each other very much and I know he is going to miss her terribly but I am very glad Mario and I had many precious moments with Despina so that when we remember her, we can laugh together. Her last outing was at the end of March when she attended my niece's second birthday party. Even though she wasn't well, she chatted away and laughed with the mothers and babies. She was in her element at social occasions and that's the Despina, I'll always remember. I'm going to miss her sparkling smile, infectious laughter, how she used to call me 'Caterina' and most of all her quirkiness. I'm going to read one of my favourite poems which also embodies many of the wonderful characteristics of Despina: 'Warning' by Jenny Joseph When I am an old woman I shall wear purple With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells And run my stick along the public railings And make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain And pick flowers in other people's gardens And learn to spit. You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat And eat three pounds of sausages at a go Or only bread and pickle for a week And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes. But now we must have clothes that keep us dry And pay our rent and not swear in the street And set a good example for the children. We must have friends to dinner and read the papers. But maybe I ought to practice a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple." [watch video in full screen]