I have been Heather's penpal since I was in seventh grade. My sister, Elizabeth, wrote to Heather's sister, Margaret, and hooked me up with Heather.  I still have the letters that I received from Heather.  They go back to the 1950's.

In 1962 I was studying music in Freiburg, Germany, and Heather invited me to spend the Christmas break with her family in Sheffield. I stayed with her parents, Jim and Sybil Poole, whose home was heated by fireplaces.  I slept upstairs and had to put a heated brick in my bed to warm it up.  We had a wonderful time, and the Pooles let me phone my boyfriend, Bill, on Christmas Day. They also put a six pence in my serving of Plum Pudding, and I still have it.   Heather and Mike took me to a New Year's Ball, where we joyfully ushered in 1963.

Heather and Mike visited me and my family in Urbana, Illinois.  They came to America and spent a week with us. That's when Bill got to meet them in person.  This was in the 1960's.  Later they came to Berwyn Heights, Maryland, and they brought Anthony and Chris with them.  By then Bill and I were parents of two boys, Bob and Dan.  So we had 4 boys together.  I'll try to send some pictures.

I visited Heather and Mike again in 1992.  After finishing a group tour to Ireland, I flew to Heathrow Airport, where they greeted me.  We then drove to their home in Chandler's Ford, where they offered me great hospitality.   I'll send a couple of pictures of them.  As a special treat, they took me to Winchester Cathedral, a magnificent edifice.  I noticed that Jane Austen was buried there.

This is not the end of the visits.  After we moved to Morgantown, West Virginia,  Mike came to see us.  He was on a business trip to the US and managed to work us in.  He was always so affable, it was a joy to have him in our home. Mike and Heather always had joie de vivre!!

Katie Tebbet, their niece, also visited us when she was playing professional golf.  One of the tournaments was at the Pines Country Club, where Bill has a membership.  We were thrilled to have her stay with us.  Her mother is Margaret Tebbet,  Heather's sister.

We treasure these fond memories, and Mike will always hold a special place in our hearts.  He was a true gentleman, a perfect complement  to vivacious Heather.  It has been a privilege to have them as our friends.  We offer our deepest sympathy to Heather and her family.

I will send the pictures separately in an attachment to Heather.

Dorothy Skidmore