Phil Shilling (Auntie Phil) was born Philomena Byrne near the village of Belleek in Co. Armagh to parents John and Catherine Byrne. She was one of a family of 5 sisters and 2 brothers that grew up on a small farm in post partition Ireland. Her father died when she was an infant and, in the days before the welfare state her mother Catherine, struggled through hard times to rear her young family as a single parent. Like many young men and women through the ages Phil migrated east to England to seek out a better life and she found happiness and success there, settling in the town of Tonbridge. Yet she never forgot her roots in Ireland and was a regular visitor here almost every summer with her husband Bob and others. We loved their visits when family members gathered and reminisced on childhoods filled with fun, laughter and mischief. There was never a hint of the tough times they lived through as the stories were retold to a willing audience. I remember Phil as a tall, well spoken, elegant, good humoured woman with a formidable strength of character. From my memory she was always in control of every situation. To Mandy and Natalie I offer you my sincere condolences on Phil’s passing. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h’anam. (translated from Irish means, ‘May her soul be at God’s right hand’)

Phil, or Auntie Phil as she was always known to me, will be sadly missed by Joan and I. Whilst in latter years we didn’t see as much of her as we used to, some of my happiest childhood memories are from the holidays we used to have with Auntie Phil, Uncle Bob and Mandy, and those long hot summers I used to spend staying with them before they moved to Silverhurst Drive. Mind you when you are a child all those summers were long and hot. Joan and I will unfortunately not be able to attend the funeral but we will be thinking of you. Auntie Phil was one of life’s ladies and is now at Peace. God bless her.