Tribute to Barbara Platt, 1945 - 2026

Just thinking of Babs and her lovely family and would like to share my memories of a truly amazing lady. I remember the first time I met Barbara, it was back in 1984 or 1985 🤔 when I did 3 weeks work experience placement at Albert Hartleys, it was daunting as a kid but she was kind and funny and remember she made me laugh and all nerves just went. Then when I left school I got a job there and worked with Barbara, she then became my work mum, always someone I looked up to who was a good advisor of the things life would throw at you. Barbara was always so proud of her family and loved to share story’s about her husband Rodney and daughter Julie and son Andrew, she had been newly made a grandma with her first grandson Daniel, I remember thinking she was a fine example of how I hoped my life would work out. The things I remember most about her were here words of wisdom, her straight talking no nonsense and a her words of advice which were always right, she was so much fun, we worked day shift 7:30- 1700 and everyday was a good day working with her, I remember her stopping what she was doing to have a dance to Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark, every time I came on radio, no matter how busy we were. Il always think of her when I hear that song, She was brilliant and everybody loved her! Barbara and me had a random squirty cream pie fight one day, not sure how we didn’t get sacked you absolutely could not be miserable in Barbara’s presence. When was 19 I confided in her that I wasn’t feeling well and thought I either had a stomach ulcer or I was going to die, she tried not to laugh and told me I was pregnant, and I actually was, she told me before the doctor did. So for years I never lived it down and when I saw her she would always ask me how old my ulcer was. Christmas party’s were brilliant and she would literally be the first one up on dance floor. I always wished I had half her confidence. Fast forward 35 years and Barbara came to Cravenside with Rodney, where I work. Years didn’t change Barbara’s sense of humour and the ability to make everyone else around her happy, she didn’t do self pity and always saw the positive side of any situation no matter what, she quite literally was loved by all who met her. Barbara my friend, I hope you have your dancing shoes on and a fag and drink up there, heaven have truly gained one of the best. You really was one in a million, I’ll remember you always ❤️ I hope you knew I loved you and how much knowing you meant to me xxx