Nikki Bateman

Today is my mum’s birthday and the second for me without her. I miss her more than words can say and I always will ❤️

Below are the words I spoke in honour of my mama on the day of her funeral:

One day recently I was walking home from work on the phone to my mum, and she was telling me about a memory of when Pol and I were little, and we used to lay down in the middle of the pavement together and look at the clouds.

That memory perfectly encapsulates my mum. Eccentric, playful, appreciative of nature, and not giving a care of what anyone thought of her.

My mum picked herself up and reinvented herself many times. But sometimes in the process of reinventing we lose touch with people, by choice or not. I’m thankful to those who have still shown love for my mum despite some with years of no contact. This is testimony of her character, she could be a right terror at times, but she certainly won us all over at some point or another.

In peoples tributes there is a running theme of my mums smile, laughter, and her fiery, bold nature. She said she didn’t want us to make a big fuss over her death and be standing around saying nice things about her. But I suppose we don’t get to decide once we’re gone. People remember how you made them feel and even though there are bad times, it’s usually mostly the good ones that live on forever.

My mums memory will live on in Pol and I.
In our kind and passionate natures.
In Pols determination
and my loudness
and in both our abilities to participate in long nights full of laughter and a few too many drinks.

As I live my life going forward I will always try to honour my mums spirit, in her memory.

We will remember her when we
dance the night away. She loved music of so many genres and she loved dancing. From ministry of sound raver, to more serious affairs of professional Ballroom dancing.
She just had that kind of soul.
We will all have our own musical memories of mum and through that she will live on.

We will remember her when we travel the world. My mum loved that Pol and I traveled and encouraged us to do it.
My mum herself traveled too, some big ones I remember are.. going to Jamaica with good friend Sharon. And to New Zealand in 2019 to attend a yoga retreat and then on to Australia to visit me where we made some great memories together. Facilitated by good friend Seanie. We fed wild dolphins together, a bucket list moment for her and I know it was one of those happy moments of my mums life.

We can remember her by putting more time into being creative. My whole life I remember my mum crafting, sewing, making things. Every bone of her loved being creative and she was probably born to be an eccentric artist, but life didn’t lead that way. When she left this world she left behind a flat full of creative materials and things she had made. Her most recent art project was painting stones with good friend Elizabeth.

We can remember her by fighting for the rights of others and promoting equal rights and justice. So many people will remember my mum this way, using that fiery personality of hers to fight for others. Before she became unwell my mum was a social worker making assessments for people’s care, and she fought relentlessly for so many people making sure they had the best. Before that she worked for many years in a care home. A lot of lives touched. Not only in her professional life, but also personal life, I’ve had countless messages about her helping others through hard times in their life, even in her hardest times.

People have also spoken of my mums struggles in life. I appreciate that this was a part of her, but let’s now focus more on the freedom a soul is given when their body is done. Whatever you believe.
We can at least believe her leaving us will lead to peace and freedom.

My mum was born a rebel
and left us a rebel.
And she would love to be remembered that way.

The final song that will play now is a 90s dance anthem in memory of my mum. I have a vivid memory of her singing it at the top of her voice in that loud ford escort she drove for a while. I didn’t want to shock everyone with a 90s banger at the end of a service, so we’ll hear an acoustic version instead.

Thank you all for your love and presence.

https://youtu.be/M_Bnw2bxz4M?si=zm0sq27q71XZqgO1

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

Happy birthday Nikki,

Forever in my thoughts

Miss you💔

I hope you are with mum and dad. Love you xxx

One year on and not a day goes by where I haven't thought about you. You are missed so much and always will be. I just wish you knew how much so many people would miss you.
A twirl chocolate is still known as "Nikki chocolate" by my little girl and I know that always put a smile on your face.
Love and miss you forever. 😔 ❤️

❤️

This weekend, together with Paul and Ciara, we laid Nikki’s ashes to rest in the same place as her parents who died in 1973. This is what Nikki told Kerry and I she would like when we saw her shortly before she died.
We also planted a lavender plant next to Nikki. I have put some photos on here. We don’t know who the green duck belongs to, but we think Nikki would like it!
For anyone wishing to visit the address is:
Bay 4, Windsor Cemetery, St Leonard’s Road, Windsor SL4 3DB.

Happy birthday Nikki,
Hope you are celebrating with a mug of green tea and custard creams
Miss you so so much 💖💔

I worked with Nikki in Enfield in the 2000's.
She was great to work with and always spoke her mind!

I miss your laugh Nikki. Grief is the price we pay for love. Love you forever xx

I miss you Nikki 😔

Rest in Peace
Nikki
Your with the Angels
Now
But you were a rare one
🌹 Annmarie Fennessy

I remember calling in to see nikki, with jos when we got back from holiday after she'd had her stoma operation. We called to the ward, to be told by the nurses that she been discharged that day, the look of sheer relief on their faces was priceless!
I hope you're at peace girl, because you had f#%# all of it when you were alive.
Mo cara
Wally

Nikki was my very dear friend for many years, although post Covid we didn't get to meet face-to-face very often. We enjoyed many trips to the theatre, seeing over 50 west-end shows over the years; Chris De Burgh and also Bat Out of Hell being particular favourites of hers I seem to remember. We even braved a helicopter trip at one point when we were feeling more adventurous!
Nikki was a very private person, always determined to be in control of her own destiny and do things 'her way'. She was a totally devoted mother and talked often about Pol and Ciara with great proudness and love.
I will miss her immensely, but find comfort in the fact that she is now at peace. Nikki, you remain always in my thoughts, sleep well hun! Lots of love from Wendy xx

I am lost for words. All I can say (and Nikki will understand this without any need for explanation) I will ALWAYS be team Nikki. Rest now, darling friend. ❤️🫶🏽

I first met Nikki at the gym more than 20 years ago and we became friends pretty quickly – she was soooo sharp, always made me laugh! I got to know her a lot better when we found out we both loved reading and the theatre, we shared lots of books and discussions about them. And when Nikki was up to it we also had some great theatre trips, the National was always her favourite. I’ve just watched ‘Where the crawdads sing, on Netflix, beautiful film but even more beautiful, haunting book, Nikki loved it and gave me her copy….
I grew quite close to Nikki as she started opening up about her life. She could be difficult, and sometimes our relationship was strained, when I was at the receiving end of that sharpness! But she could also be so sweet and caring. She spoke about you all the time Ciara and Pol and thought the world of you. And always spoke so fondly of you too Bex.
I’m going to remember Nikki when I saw her at her very best – on a yoga holiday in Croatia, when we both bunked the meditation session in the morning and cycled to the beach instead! She was healthy and tanned and happy and laughing and full of life…. Will miss you Nikki xxxx

I have known Nikki since 1986. I remember visiting her in hospital when Pol was born. He was a big baby and was able to lift and turn his head in the cot as a newborn which we laughed at. I remember Christy Moore in Tottenham Court Road, dancing in the White Swan into the early hours and long conversations in the Pig & Whistle. Pizza nights at Nikki’s on Saturdays. We hadn’t spoken in recent years. We couldn’t meet in the middle but I know you weren’t able to access the extensive professional support that you needed and deserved at that time. It wasn’t easy being you and you did your best. Your service is on my mum’s anniversary. I’m sure she is where you are now. I know you are finally at peace and nothing can hurt you anymore. Rest well my friend 💕

I was so pleased and thankful to see Nikki very recently. It had been a long time and relationships had been difficult. The hours that Kerry and I spent with her were calm and relaxed. Yes, there were tears, but there was laughter too. Nikki asked me if I still had all my own teeth and said my hair was looking better than other times she had seen it. Despite her very obvious frailty, she was still very much Nikki!
She told us she was looking forward to seeing our Mum and Dad who died in 1973. She was very sure this would happen. I hope it has.
Rest in peace now Nikki, with lots of love xx

"From the moment we met Nikki, we adored her. On first hearing her refined 'estuary accent', to the Irish ear, we feared she might be aloof. But of course, that quickly disappeared as we relaxed and got to know her. She had the most radiant smile and playful sense of humour. It was clear that she was a kind and empathic person who wished to connect with us at a special level. It was obvious that she adored her children, Pol and Ciara. Our hearts are truly broken for them both, our grandchildren, in losing their dear mother. Rest in peace, dearest Nikki. Paddy and Mena 💔💔"

I am Pol and Ciara’s step-mum. When I first met their dad I was 26 and rather terrified of becoming part of a ready made family - they were 7 and 8 at the time. I didn’t meet Nikki for some time initially and I was worried she would be resentful about my part in their lives. But she was always grateful and appreciative of my input and over the years we became friends and a blended family. Although there were some difficult times (particularly in teenage years!) I was never in any doubt about how much she loved them. She also loved Ruby and Tommy the children we went on to have. I remember her coming to meet each of them as newborns and how thrilled she was to have a cuddle with them. They would both run for a hug with Nikki whenever we saw her when they were little. I know Nikki was very proud of the strong, independent, kind and loving people Pol and Ciara have become. Rest in peace Nikki - you know I will always be here for them but you will always be missed and remembered. ❤️

So glad you made it to Brisbane for a visit. We had some great experiences and visited some Beautiful places. .One of which was Tangalooma on Moreton Island. On the boat over Nikki decided to go out on the deck to watch the Pacific Ocean.. While she was out there at the front.. the boat hit a wave.. Nikki got soaked. .Me and my wife Amanda saw her coming back inside. .Dripping wet.. We where in Stiches...Nikki after some persuading eventually saw the funny side.. When we where disembarking the Skipper was thanking everyone and wishing them a lovely time on the Island.. everyone was thanking him also.. Then in true Nikki fashion.. She cuts him in two with a look.... and says.. THANK YOU FOR SPLASHING ME !! What a Great Memory... Rest in Peace Nikki you will be missed by many.

We are Nikki's neighbours and friend. We used to enjoy Nik, coming up for a cup of fruit tea and a good old chat. We are already missing you. X ❤️

I moved back to London from Navan in Ireland in early 1985, some of my friends & my brother were staying in a hostel called the Albert Hotel, which was situated on Queensgate, South Kensington, more or less directly behind the Royal Albert Hall.
To say it was a culture shock, would be an understatement of some magnitude; it was a completely different world, everything was new, and every day brought new and exciting experiences. The hostel where we were staying was a melting pot for young people from all over the world, it was an amazing time to be alive for all of us.
I had seen Nikki around the hostel, she would be hard to miss, a loud teenager dressed entirely in black. We shared a lot of mutual friends but had never actually spoken. We all used to frequent a pub on Gloucester Road called the Harrington and one night I was having a quiet beer, in fairness probably several quiet beers, when entirely out of the blue, she walked over to me and in a loud screechy Nikki voice declares “I know you!” At the same time twirling her finger about a half an inch in front of my face, bad idea, so I bit it. Nothing carnivorous, just a playful nip. She thought this was totally hilarious (I miss that laugh far beyond my ability to express in words).
That was the start of a friendship that spanned four decades and
took in life, love, loss and everything in between. The good times and the bad times. Nicola Louise Bateman, know that you were loved and know also that the world is a sadder place without your laughter.

Very sad to hear of nikki's passing 😢 she was an old friend brought much laughter to my life in difficult times and gave me prospective,courage and hope RIP nikki 🙏

Nikki and I shared a bedroom when we were younger and every night we would hold hands across the gap between the beds and say ‘Clasp it’. When she couldn’t sleep, we would get under the duvet and I would sing Hushabye Mountain from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
My beautiful sister Nikki 💔xxx