The obituary notice of Stuart Russell HINSLEY

Stuart was a lovely human being, and he was inspirational in the way he stood up to the challenge of his illness, never giving in.

Under wing and snags solved
Draw a bond and paint potential
Words for an intangible friend?

I’ll race you he said
fleeting feet on summer sand
giggles of girls and the bus ride home

There to grasp the marks you make
painter’s palette a blur of blue
camp stove, kettle, safe out of the rain

Storyteller stick by crackling fire
Flash of red in winters fuss
Raku party and a last gasp lift

Lesson learnt for lessons teaching
…stir young minds to think beyond
Naturally…everyone excluded, included

Slice the earth and call on nature
…to spring a wood, a good wood…
…leaves reflections to ponder

The race is slowed

Dignity, courage
You were never a victim

Pity in voices made us squirm
To a man, with a soul

I’m alive… you were always ALIVE

Your tumble turns
Your spice of life
Your vowels of non-silence…. Your memory

…you were cared for

The race is done but you are tangible
…evermore in nostalgic dalliance

So, embrace the falling autumn,
Climb up its fragrant breeze
Then whisk away to dreams unknown

Sleep tight my friend …tomorrow is another tomorrow is another tomorrow

See you up the field Stuart. Fritz, Holly, Sascha and Meredith Chicken will be there, we'll all have a picnic in the summerhouse, and then off to Frarolin xx ❤️ xx

Stuart, you were such an important part of my life from the moment I moved to Leicester in 1990 until I left for Hong Kong in 1995. I don’t know if I ever told you that, but I hope deep down you knew. I realise now just how lucky I was to find you and Andy as I ventured out into the world as a university student, fresh from a tiny Cornish fishing village. Those years the three of us had together have never been matched. No one has ever made me feel so loved, cared for, and respected just for being myself. I naively thought everyone was like that, but now, with the years behind me, I know they’re not. You and Andy truly are diamonds in the sky.

We had a tonne of fun in the simplest of pleasures; long drives to Cornwall in the sausage van, building sandcastles on Tintagel beach, and going to beach parties in Polperro and Looe. I can still picture sitting in your studio while you worked tirelessly on your seminal paintings when I popped over to see you between my design classes. When life felt overwhelming, you’d take me swimming, patiently trying to teach me how to crawl properly. And those countless days spent in Seagrave, with your mum Danny, greeting us with her big smile. I can still hear her voice saying, “Hello Jo” and see her beaming face as we all crowded into her kitchen for tea and snacks. Those were truly some of the best years of my life, and ones I will always hold dear.

Losing you has left such a huge hole in the hearts of everyone whose lives you touched. As the memories flood back and long-lost photos resurface, I find myself sitting with them, holding them close again. Even though we hadn’t seen each other for a while, you were never far from my thoughts. The painting you gave me has been on my wall for decades.

I love you, Stuart. Thank you for being one of the best friends I could have asked for as a young woman. Stay close to Andy and journey well—I can’t wait to see you again one day.