A caring mum left a treasure trove of favourite family recipes as she lost a brave six-year battle with cancer.
During her fight Lisa Stratford wrestled with what lasting legacy she could pass on to her loved ones.
Husband Phil suggested a book of their best-loved dishes gathered from friends, family and their travels together.
Now, eight months after Lisa’s death, Phil has fulfilled one of Lisa’s dying wishes by publishing Mum’s Memorable Recipes.
It’s full of hand-written recipes, family photos of meals together and notes.
Every penny from profits will benefit Friends of Anchor supporting cancer patients at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s Anchor unit.
Sarah-Jane Hogg, the charity’s fundraising and development director, said: “You get a little window into the love, laughter and amazing food that filled their home.”
Lisa, who died from bowel cancer on October 24 last year, aged 53, wrote a moving message to Phil and their children, Sophie, 27, Molly, 25, and Luke, 23, in the book’s introduction.
She said: “I don’t expect you to use everything in here, it’s just a compilation of recipes we have eaten together. Enjoy reminiscing over the photos too, there are some wonderful memories there.
“It goes without saying but I’ll say it again anyway, I love you all.”
Phil, 54, group head of well engineering and decommissioning with Premier Oil, admitted he never intended to publish the book until a pal picked it up in the kitchen of their Aberdeen home.
He revealed: “I’d only had 10 copies made. We’ve since printed a thousand for a suggested cover price of £20 but many people have donated more.
“Lisa would be surprised that the book is in so many people’s homes but proud that her legacy is being used so well.”
