STV NewsWhen Cheryl Smith-Hinton died, her carers came to the heartbreaking conclusion that no-one may attend her funeral.
The 77-year-old was thought to have no relatives but as Cheryl loved rock music and the iconic Thunder in the Glens rally, the motorcycle community stepped in to make sure she was given a send-off she deserved.
Bikers from clubs across the area rallied to a call on social networks to pay their respects.
Dartford-born Cheryl passed away on May 9. She had a daughter, Claire, who passed away.
Bikers rode alongside Cheryl’s hearse on her final journey from Grantown to the crematorium in Inverness.
Roslyn Boyce of Kingsmills Care Home said: “Sheryl had a love for motorcycles, bikes, heavy rock music, dogs, ponies, the list goes on.
“So, we really wanted to make that personal to her and the community really have grouped together.
“We’ve had about 20 or more motorcycles come here today riding alongside the hearse.”
She added: “She was at the heart of everything. She came in and we knew she loved rock music.
“She wanted her hair pink as soon as she came, so that’s what she got. She wanted her room pink. She wanted all the rock stuff in her room and that’s what we gave her to make it meaningful to her.”
She later moved to Aviemore after years attending Thunder in the Glens and worked in a variety of admin roles and as a hotel receptionist.
Cheryl was an animal lover and took in several rescue dogs during her life. According to staff, Cheryl spoke most fondly of Patsy, a black and white papillon. She also volunteered for the charity Paws Against Stress, a therapeutic pet-interaction program based in Aviemore.
She moved to Kingsmills in 2022 where she received care and support for dementia and impaired mobility due to a previous stroke.
Staff at Kingsmills bought Cheryl a jukebox-style CD and Bluetooth speaker so the ageing rocker could play her favourite songs by bands including AC/DC, Bon Jovi and Guns n’ Roses.
The bikers paying their respects have a good track record.
James Ferguson of the Born To Lose Motor Cycle Club said: “We do quite a lot of charity work. We did a bike push last year. This June, for veterans’ day, we are carrying a seven-kilo stretcher up Ben Wyvis and all the way back down again. We’re hoping to raise money for Help the Heroes.”
Those at Renaissance Care’s Kingsmills Home in Inverness who knew Cheryl well say she was “larger than life, much loved, bold, kind and unforgettable.”
Yvonne Richardson, operations director at Renaissance Care, said: “Cheryl became like family to many of the team at Kingsmills.
“In care, it’s natural for strong and meaningful relationships to grow, and in the absence of family members, the team often step in to provide that love, comfort and support.
“Creating something special for Cheryl’s send-off is their way of honouring her life, celebrating the person she was and recognising the impact she had on the home and everyone within it.”
While her funeral ended with one of her favourite songs, AC/DC’s Highway to Hell, a poetic tribute from one of her carers was rather more tender.
Kirsten Simpson, team lead manager at the Kingsmills Care Home, said of Cheryl: “It won’t be the same without your smile and fun. You’ll be deeply missed by each and everyone.”
Kirsten’s poem – To Cheryl:
Cheryl ruled her little room like a punk rock queen in bed
With motorbikes upon the walls and wild ideas in her head
Pink blankets, dog throws everywhere, strawberry yogurts stacked
And pineapple juice beside her bed, she always kept them packed
She couldn’t walk but, honestly, her mind went everywhere
From marrying Elvis in Las Vegas to dyeing somebody’s hair
She’d wink and crack a dirty joke so quick you’d nearly choke
Then grin so sweet and innocent as if she’d never spoke
A gentle soul with rebel roots, tough music in her heart
The kind of woman who could make a gloomy day depart
Quick witted to the very end, sharp as any tack
If you tried to beat her in a joke, she’d fire one right back
She loved her Patsy dearly, and her Claire beyond all measure
Speaking of them often like her greatest kind of treasure
And though her world stayed mostly to the comfort of her bed
She filled the place with laughter and the funny things she said
The carers meant so much to her – you saw it every day
In little chats and banter and the games she liked to play
She trusted them, she loved them, and they loved her right back too
Because a soul as bright as Cheryl’s shines in all you do
So here’s to our Cheryl – pink-loving, cheeky, bright
May Elvis finally meet you now dressed head to toe in white
Though Heaven won’t know what’s hit it now you’ve gone above
There’ll be rock songs, rude jokes, pineapple juice, and endless love.
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