'Eric was to become a lifelong friend'

'Eric was to become a lifelong friend'

Avril Patterson remembers her lifelong friend Eric. He was a great companion to her during her early retirement years.

Avril Patterson

Trinity College Dublin

2002

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Avril Patterson

Retirement

Life Story

Belfast,Northern Ireland

2000's

A few years after the death of my husband and mother I happened to meet an old friend in the bus. His name was Eric Greddis,he was a divorced man. We had played badminton as 17 year olds at Fenaghy Community Centre. Eric was to become a lifelong friend. We shared holidays,enjoying gardening,the theatre and cinema. Eric had his own house and looked after his elderly mother.Sadly Eric was diagnosed in July 2002 with cancer and died suddenly 2 weeks later. I realised just what a friend and companion Eric had been; a lifelong friend for 35 years.Just before Eric's death in May 2002 Eric was invited to H.M. The Queen's Garden Party in Hillsborough Castle. Also to bring two guests. My daughter Pamela and myself went with him. It was with great pleasure H.R.H. Prince Philip came over to speak to Eric. I have lovely memories and photographs of this occasion.I have always been interested in the Royal Family. When Princess Diana died I sent a card to her two sons,Prince William and Prince Harry. I was amazed to receive a thank you letter from the Royal Family. Since then I have written to many members of the Royal Family and I have replies from them all. Most recently I sent a card to William and Catherine on the occasion of their engagement,again I got a thank you letter.

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Irish Research Council for Arts,Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)