I remember the day she was born, at home, on February 25th 1960. I stood at the bottom of the stairs waiting to hear her cry, then picked Snowdrops from the garden for her and mum.

We were almost 7 years different in age and I remember her coming on the school bus with me to Brereton Primary School, for a taster day, and looking after her. I left that school as she started, then I went to Congleton Grammar School, but again left before Pam started.

Growing up, everything was family orientated. We always included our Aunty Ivy and Uncle Bill, who Pam always said were like grandparents to her, in most things we did. We would pile into one car, me squeezed in the back and Pam in the front on Uncle Bill's knee! We also enjoyed many picnics and holidays with wider family, aunts, uncles and cousins. Family gatherings and parties were usually at our house so we were always together as a family, and Pam was a favourite with everyone.

Pam and I had less in common when I was 14 and she was 7, but we were always close. She was my bridesmaid aged 15. We grew closer again when our dad died in 1980, and also when our daughters Elizabeth and Caroline were born. Pam was always very close to both girls and she was their favourite aunty. They had many happy and fun times with her, and were bridesmaids when she married Andy.

I was delighted for her when she had her boys Nathan and Adam; she had always wanted her own family, and I loved being Aunty Sue to them.

We didn’t always see that much of each other as we got older. Pam lived in London and abroad for a while and later we moved to Cornwall, but we always kept in touch and phoned each other regularly, always addressing each other as “sister”. Pam, Andy and the boys spent many happy holidays with us in Cornwall and she was never happier than when she was crabbing or poking about in rock pools with her boys, our girls or our grandchildren, who she was very close to. She was always interested in what they were doing and regularly sent them little surprises in the post. They all thought the world of her.

Pam and I were together with Roger and our girls when mum died.

I can’t believe she is not here anymore, that I can’t ring for a chat; I will never get used to that. Pam was always much loved by all of us and has left a huge void in the family. She was a very special person and sister.