Steffi - A Tribute by Timna

 

In the days that have passed since she slipped away, I have found it so hard to

summarise my mum, Steffi. She really was the most extraordinary person - so full

of love, beauty, vitality, care, consideration, kindness, sharp intelligence, dry wit,

quirky ways, boundless energy, colour and a huge abundance of eclectic

creativity. Everyone that had ever known her has been sprinkled by this magical

creativity in one way or another - whether it be with the stones that she had been

painting since the early 70’s, her bespoke photographic collage card making,

unique pieces of pottery or incredible array of wonderful homemade food treats

and drinks - she had introduced most of my friends to the wonders of the

Elderflower via all its sometimes explosive varieties - the list of her talents were

endless. Along with the Elderflower all sorts - champagne, cordial, wine, were the

Damson all sorts - jam, crumble, compote, wine (she would find a way of making

wine out of pretty much any ingredient possible) and the pickled all sorts too -

cucumbers, cabbages, beetroots, carrots, you name it....and then there were her

cakes (the apple one for starters)!! And biscuits!!! And Breads....as I say, the list

of her food and drink talents alone are endless.

 

My brother Nochi and I had a truly wonderful childhood - in large part due to the

way our mum and dad brought us up - apart, but together. Growing up in Muswell

Hill in our family home in Grand Avenue was pretty idyllic. It was such an

amazing house. Colourful, stylish, sprawling, with a mainly peaceful dynamic, but

also lots of music, laughter and interesting food smells permeating

throughout....food has always played a BIG role in our lives

 

Not only was she the most amazing mother but she was such a brilliant

grandmother too (as the kids have beautifully described). We were so lucky to

have lived close by to her throughout the children lives which meant that along

with their other grandparents living close by, Stephen and Linda, and their nanny

Beryl in Woking, they have had a full contingent of Rose-Price love, humour,

nonsense, inquisitively, and understanding of the world around them, which was

always the most incredible support to Darren and I as we navigated the

wonderful (and sometimes tricky) world of child rearing. She was always there for

me and for us, to give her thoughtful, measured advice or comfort whenever and

wherever we needed it - unconditionally....a long as we didnt leave the fridge

door open!!

 

Her love for her immediate and extended family knew no bounds. We are an

unusual lot. Whenever I would accompany her to a new appointment, they would

ask her about her self and she would say “well, I come from a large and very

unusual family” and they would say, how so? “Because we all really like each

Other!!”

 

Although always pretty humble about it, she rightly had a strong sense of pride,

achievement, self-value and deep satisfaction throughout her varied career,

especially in the latter years of this. Again at new appointments, when asked

what she did as a job when working, she would proudly announce “I was an

educator”, and she was, to everyone she came into contact with actually. As I am

sure all of you here and watching on the link around the world would agree. She

had a way of quietly yet confidently planting a seed in your mind to make you

think as you walked away from her, mulling over that particular pearl of wisdom

or interesting point of view she would impart.

Her hectic social life was as astounding as it was bewildering. As her wonderful

neighbour Nicola warmly recounted to Nochi and I the other day, that back to

when she first moved in, her and her husband would note, “she’s like a teenager,

staying out till all hours!” This kind of wild behaviour continued until only about 4

or 5 years ago and would usually be fuelled by one of her great love, Israeli folk

dancing - Rikudei Am. She was still going 2 or 3 times a week right up until lock

down. Second only to family really were dancing and her love of all her many

wonderful concentric friendship circles that would revolve around her, throughout

the world.

 

Coming in close to these would probably be her love and fervent interest in

culture of all kinds - art, literature, film, design, travel, good food and wine. We

had such a life affirming time visiting the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the Tate last

October.

 

I was recently interviewed for an interior design magazine about who my design

Icon was - it was a no brainer - "my beautiful, creative, eclectic, eccentric mother,

Steffi Rose!

 

"What are they most famous for?" To everyone that has ever known her, she is

simply a unique individual, with beauty, charm, wit, intellect and above all,

creativity; wrapping around her like a psychedelic aura.

 

My first memory of being blown away by interior design was walking with my

mum, wide mouthed through the homeware floor at Biba boutique in South

Kensington - in all it’s resplendent 1970’s/Art Nouveau-glamour glory. At the

back, atop 3 curved steps, was a 4 poster bed covered in leopard print cushions.

I ran down the isle and launched myself starfish style right on top of it! This

thrilling connection with design that mum had a very big hand in, has stayed with

me ever since.....Mum adored colour and was never scared to express herself

through colour - every room in our house was painted throughout in strong

colours - deep yellows, greens, blues and greys. Again, I'm so grateful that she

passed on her love of colour to me.

 

Over the last few days we have received such an outpouring of love filled

messages from near and far, as the word has spread of her passing. They all

have a common theme - their appreciation for her love, kindness, beauty, humour

and overwhelming bright energy; coupled with a painted stone or 2....and also

the devastating sadness at hearing that her physical light has now dimmed.

Above all that she truly was very very special to everyone that had ever known

her. That so many of my friends through my life knew and loved her, so many of

them here today, is testament to the magic she created all around her....and she

also loved and appreciated them so much in return.

 

She just seemed to spread this magical aura of hers over everyone she ever met

I could actually go on about all her amazing qualities forever - she really was a

total one off. Nochi, Darren, Megan, Max, Joe and I, along with all her extended

family and friends here and throughout the world will miss her beyond all words.

My beautiful mama Steffi - her spirit will live on within us, always ❤️

(Return to Main Site)