15 July 2007 to 13 February 2021
This page includes a video of the funeral held at St James on 5 March 2021, the family eulogy given at the service and other tributes shared during the funeral.
Family eulogy
Words and tribute from Cath and James and Taylan, who were honoured to be her mum and dad and brother.
Trinity Elizabeth Shenton was born in the early hours of 15 July 2007, sharing her birthday with her Great Grandma Ethel.
As a baby, Trinity was a little choosey who she would honour with a smile, reserving most for mum and occasionally dad, though he really had to earn it. At first Taylan called her ‘A-trill-ity’ and as soon as she started to crawl we often could hear him yelling ‘Trill!’, ‘Tiriiiill’ as she ploughed through yet another one of his meticulously designed train tracks. He did manage to get his own back by jumping on her on the trampoline, although mostly she just laughed, got up and went back for more. She was a tough cookie even then.
Trinity went to the Christie’s Day nursery where she made her mark as a determined and rather strong character. Grandad Neil once collected her and when he asked her keyworker how she had been the answer he received was ‘Challenging’, albeit with a smile. On one occasion she was witnessed carjacking, where she ejected another child out of a toy car and hurriedly drove off. Right from an early age it was clear Trinity was going to be a strong character and know exactly what she wanted.
At three years old she joined Didsbury Church of England Nursery where she made lots of friends that she would grow up with throughout the Infants and Junior school. At nursery when she arrived Trinity would head straight to the Princess Dresses and clacky shoes and was mighty upset if they were already taken often crying out ‘It’s not fair’.
One of the highlights at primary school was when Trinity was cast as the star role of the Year 2 Nativity play, Whoopsa Daisy Angel. She played the role brilliantly, and was particularly good at the foot stamping which could be heard throughout the school. James asked her teacher if she’d been typecast.
Trinity has always loved getting messy. We will never forget the mess she made with a chocolate mousse one meal time, smearing it all over the table with a big grin on her face. Or the time when she managed to get hold of the Sudocrem pot which she smeared all over the bathroom, that stuff really is waterproof! When she was little one of Trinity’s favourite activities was going for a stomp in puddles and in the mud, the muddier the better. When she was six we took her on a bare foot forest walk where she was delighted to find a trough of thick, dark, knee high, gooey mud to walk through. She went through it six times with dad, whilst mum and Taylan looked on horrified.
As Trinity was growing up through Primary and Junior school she tried lots of activities and clubs such as gymnastics, dancing, swimming, piano lessons, Brownies and choir, but it was playing the clarinet and horse riding that she was truly passionate about (though not at the same time obviously). Trinity was at her happiest when she was riding a horse and she was a natural at it. No matter what else was going on in her life, Trinity’s face would always light up full of joy and happiness during her riding lessons. We remember the last time she rode a horse she got to gallop for the first time and was full of excitement and wonder afterwards. It was beautiful to witness. The summer before Trinity became ill she entered a riding competition at her stables where she was delighted to win third place for the dressage event and second place for her and her horse Diamonds excellent clear jumping round. Trinity treasured those rosettes and they hang proudly on her bedroom wall.
Trinity loved all animals. As parents, we were a little reluctant to allow pets but eventually Trinity worked on us enough for us to agree to pet rats for her tenth birthday. Trinity absolutely loved her pet rats and took really good care of them, spending lots of time playing with them. Of course, her true ambition was for a pet dog and Trinity, ever resourceful, saw her opportunity and asked for one, literally within five minutes of her diagnosis. Three weeks later Trinity chose her eight-week-old golden cocker spaniel puppy whom she called Rigsby. Trinity adored Rigsby so much and we have very dear memories of walking him with her during last summer in Didsbury Park where Trinity made friends with lots of other dog owners and of course, more importantly, their dogs. Finally along came Pigeon, for those of you who don’t know, he’s Trinity’s pet snake! Trinity loved all her pets and latterly referred to Rigsby and Pigeon as her sons, and us as their Grandparents. Very recently she loved that Rigsby was sent flowers by his dog friend Boo, this really tickled her (and us).
Another great love of Trinity’s was everything Harry Potter. She and her Auntie Shirlee would talk for hours about Harry Potter, both of them collecting as many Harry Potter items as they could manage. Trinity was thrilled to go to the Harry Potter Studio in Watford one year and then even better the year later, organised by her Auntie Shirlee, a trip to London to see the Cursed Child play. And how all of us, especially Trinity, loved that whole adventure, especially as Auntie Shirlee treated her to a stay in the Hilton Hotel.
We mustn’t forget Trinity’s great passion for cuddly soft toys, especially later the brand Jellycats. We don’t exaggerate when we say we have 12 bin bags full of cuddly toys in our loft and nearly the same amount again crammed into Trinity’s bedroom. Each cuddly toy has a name and Trinity could tell you exactly when and where she got each one from.
Another favourite memory was of Trinity helping with Godly Play. She loved helping to set everything up and helping tidy it all away afterwards. Of course she made sure that it was her who always sat next to her mum. After church on a Sunday we would often walk round the Parsonage, or round Fletcher Moss gardens, the waterfall park was an absolute favourite, which of course, she would usually end up splashing in.
Trinity also loved all adventures, even camping which we ourselves are a bit adverse to. Her favourite holiday was a trip to Florida when she was nine. There she was in her element getting to dress up as a Disney Princess, and then being treated as a Princess in Disneyland. She loved meeting Storm troopers, Mickey Mouse and Rapunzel. Her favourite thing though was the Harry Potter rides and exploring Diagon Alley that Universal has so marvellously recreated. There she got to go in Ollivanders and purchase a wand and in the Leaky Cauldron and drink butterbeer, although she concluded that sounded better than it actually tasted. Not one to shy away from adventure she held an alligator and a very large snake in Gatorland! But it was the little birds that she fed that made her smile the most!
Trinity absolutely loved Christmas time. Every Christmas Eve was spent with Auntie Shirlee and Uncle Mike playing games, eating chocolate and following Father Christmas as he made his way round the world. Halloween was another favourite time and Trinity loved to dress up, decorate the house and go Trick or Treating.
At secondary school, Trinity made more good friends and when she found it difficult to settle cherished the support of Miss Mannion, Mrs Bond and Miss Reilly.
Throughout Trinity’s illness she has been amazingly brave, courageous and relentlessly positive. She never gave up in the belief that she could beat it and was always looking forward to what she could do next, whether it be shopping, or craft, or chatting with her friends or getting a McDonalds. She managed to remain positive even when she received blow after blow, seeming to have the ability to shrug of the type of bad news that would crush another person and simply get on with what she enjoyed doing. Her endurance and stamina were incredible. She was our strength and got us through those immensely difficult times.
So, we will always remember our beautiful daughter as a funny, vivacious girl who made people smile and laugh. She was so strong and determined and rarely failed once she set her mind on something. She loved to be part of everything and loved chatting to everyone. She was creative, always making us things. She was caring and empathetic and thoughtful and would always help her family and friends.
She is and will always be our beautiful, precious daughter.
Tributes from friends
Thank you for such a loving and welcoming thanksgiving. It was such a positive and beautiful service and a great remembrance of Trinity. A child who was a real force of nature and as you say – what a joy and a privilege to have had her in our lives. God bless xxx
Gail
I remember Trinity from Didsbury CofE, where I worked in her class for several years. I remember Trinity coming to birthday parties with Taylan (who was in Ethan’s class). What can I say. You were a beautiful, sparkly little girl. You had a real spark and quirkiness. I can truly say you are beautiful inside and out. You would always sit near me and chat. Your work was always so neat. You always had a pencil case full of different pens. Trinity, even though I hadn’t seen you for a while, I always thought about you and hoped you were happy at high school. Fly high. You will be be greatly missed. Night night, sleep tight. Always in my thoughts. xxxx
Janine Clarke
Sending lots of love and prayers your way James, Cath, and Taylan. Trinity was an amazing girl. Her sassiness, cheekiness and her love for all things girly is what I remember most. She lit up the hall when she came into Kids Club. I remember when she would come to pick up Taylan when she was little and was so shy hiding behind James, but we all knew she wasn’t that shy! I remember how she would follow Taylan everywhere and adored him so much. She really was a breath of fresh air and was always smiling. Thinking of you all. xx
Nas Khan
I taught science to Trinity last year, when I was a teacher at the Manchester Hospital School. I’m heartbroken to learn of Trinity’s passing. She was bright, brilliant and I was blown away with her enthusiasm. I taught her over online video and she took to doing science from home so well! She was dedicated enough to do an entire microscopy investigation on her own from home and took some brilliant photos of what leaves looked like under a microscope.
She was also so enthusiastic that she managed to carry out an entire virtual experiment involving counting bubbles on a screen for minutes at a time, when investigating photosynthesis!! She was a very talented scientist and a joy to teach. I always enjoyed our lesson interruptions by the dog and joking that she didn’t love her pet fish as much! She was always smiling, and teaching her over lockdown last year was always the highlight of my day.
At a time when we were all locked away, online and isolated, teaching Trinity was the best part of my job and I’d leave our lessons smiling as much as she did. I’m so sorry for your loss and if there is anything I can do to help in anyway then please get in touch.
Sanny Rudravajhala
With our love to you all. Our thoughts are with you and your beautiful girl Trinity.
Janet and Othman xx
Sending my love to you all at this sad time. I have so many fond memories of Trinity and I will always remember her beautiful smile. Sleep well Trinity.
Lisa Burns xx
Sending our sincere condolences to you. Trinity always had a bright, beaming smile. I remember Trinity singing Frozen songs with her friends in Year 2 on the school bus after swimming lessons. Thinking of you all.
Ruth, Mark, Oliver and Jemima Healy
