On behalf of the Hover family:

It is with sadness that we announce that on 16th January 2024, Annabelle found her wings, freedom and is no longer suffering. The end came quickly and in a way where she didn’t suffer too much.

Annabelle will want us to remember her for sassiness and all the positives.

She had a beautiful send off on the 2nd of February 2024 at her place of worship, with 175 in attendance.

A beautiful tribute read at the service by Andy – Annabelles Dad

Annabelle Hover – a fighter, determined, persistent, vocal, intelligent, witty, gave more to others than she realised, sassy

Annabelle exploded into the world on 28^th September 2005 – literally, this tiny baby shot out of Lisa, skidding along the delivery table to be caught by the midwife. Our second born, a little girl to join our boy, Aiden. We were over the moon with joy – little did we know the journey she would take us on.

This isn’t going to be about Annabelle’s health challenges. She had many, starting from just a few months old. She battled through them though. She did complain but didn’t let them stop her doing what she wanted …

She was a Ballerina.

She was a Gymnast.

She was a Rainbow, a Brownie, a Girl Guide, a Ranger

She was a Flamenco Dancer ….. one time at 2 o’clock in the morning with castanets and clipity-clop plastic heeled shoes

She loved riding her bike through puddles

She loved horses. Insisted on a ponie party for her 6^th birthday. And enjoyed riding at the stables in the New Forest.

She loved dolphins and was able to swim some twice

She lover penguins, a love she shared with her little brother, Robbie

She loved her dog Teddy

She was a racing driver for a day. Driving blind around the Three Sisters Racing Circuit. She crashed … but it was the instructors’ fault. Who she learned a few swear words from.

She enjoyed cooking. Rocky Road was her favourite. When she was 3 she made breakfast for the family, climbing onto the worktop to get things off the shelves. Again, it was probably about 2 o’clock in the morning!

She was a journalist and editor for the Rare Revolution Magazine

She tried influencing on social media with a few random posts

She loved school, attending St Ives Primary & Nursery School, Ringwood School and the Victoria School – she made an impression on them all. She was extremely bright academically and proud to gain her GCSE’s

She loved making things with her hands. Loom bands, crafts, beading, sowing, jewellery. Forget the mess these things often made across her bedroom floor, the items she created through feel alone were amazing

She was an adventurer. Taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. Climbing to the top of Ben Nevis, gathering cuts and bruises on her legs. We only planned to go half way, but she insisted on going to see the snow at the top. Skiing – if Aiden can do it I want to do it – and she did! Despite being blind!

Annabelle enjoyed sleeping in tents, whether for a festival party in the garden or campsite in the New Forest. There was one time when Aiden and I lost her … but we got her back in the end.

She had a habit of wondering off. Weymouth beach also springs to mind … but she came back in the end

She enjoyed theme park rides and was fortunate to go to the parks in Florida with the family and then with Dreamflight, to EuroDisney with the Guides and Poulton’s Park on a few occasions. We nick-named her the “phantom screamer” as she had the habit of raising her hands and screaming on different parts of the rides to everyone else.

She loved playing UNO and was wickedly good. 

She was a girlie girl. Although in her early years in Weedon she mainly played with the boys, often getting in trouble for being too rough, or for biting them! But she loved her hair treatments, bath bombs, smelly candles and jewellery

Annabelle loved to boogie, with her unique moves and unforgettable shimmy

She loved to sing and was a fan of the Vamps. She saw them in concert and met the band several times. Brad was her crush but she formed a bond with James and singing with him is one of her top highlights.

She loved Christmas and birthdays. She would always be focussed on the next birthday in the family – the year starts with Daddy’s in January, then it’s Georgie’s, then Aiden, Mummy, Robbie’s and then her own. Annabelle’s way of counting down the year to her own birthday celebration. Her 18^th birthday party was an absolute joy thanks to everyone that came along – she was beautiful and very happy.

She gave our family experiences we may otherwise not have had – Florida, the Vamps, LUSH, skiing, Girlie trip to Liverpool, our very recent family Christmas holiday which was special

She was a sister and best friend to Aiden, especially in the early years.

She tried to be the best big sister to Georgie and Robbie. She especially tried to look after Robbie – they were united by shared challenges, naughtiness and laughter

Annabelle, you were our first little princess. Our SassyBelle. You gave 18 years full of adventure and cheekiness. 18 years where you taught us and many others how to be determined and fight for what you deserve. 

Annabelle, thank you for your love and the memories you have given us.