http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/06/13/merseyside-grandson-tattooed-with-nan-s-ashes-to-create-everlasting-tribute-to-her-memory-100252-28867279/
A DEVOTED grandson told how he paid his late nan a lasting tribute by having her ashes mixed with ink and tattooed into his skin.
Vincent Rowan, a 32-year-old taxi driver from Halewood, told the ECHO: “I thought it was a great idea to have this done so she would always be with me.”
His gran Mary Rowan died at the age of 86. After the funeral the family decided to divide her ashes, burying some in the Rowan family grave and some in Shrewsbury where she was evacuated during World War II.
But Vincent wanted to make sure a part of her was always by his side and after researching the idea online took his unusual request to the Oakey tattoo parlour, in Mackets Lane, Halewood.
He said: “I knew you could make diamonds out of ashes, and so I thought of a tattoo.”
On one arm Vincent had a tattoo of his nan’s favourite flower, a snow drop, combined with a lyric from her favourite song (They Long to Be) Close to You by The Carpenters.
Vinny Rowan tattoo
He said: “When she got read her last rites all the family were there and we each got 10 minutes with her and that’s what I sang to her then.”
On the other arm Vincent paid tribute to his Scotland Road-born nan using her maiden name – his special nickname for her.
The message on his left forearm reads: “Cullen held my hand for a short while but holds my heart forever”.
A DEVOTED grandson told how he paid his late nan a lasting tribute by having her ashes mixed with ink and tattooed into his skin.
Vincent Rowan, a 32-year-old taxi driver from Halewood, told the ECHO: “I thought it was a great idea to have this done so she would always be with me.”
His gran Mary Rowan died at the age of 86. After the funeral the family decided to divide her ashes, burying some in the Rowan family grave and some in Shrewsbury where she was evacuated during World War II.
But Vincent wanted to make sure a part of her was always by his side and after researching the idea online took his unusual request to the Oakey tattoo parlour, in Mackets Lane, Halewood.
He said: “I knew you could make diamonds out of ashes, and so I thought of a tattoo.”
On one arm Vincent had a tattoo of his nan’s favourite flower, a snow drop, combined with a lyric from her favourite song (They Long to Be) Close to You by The Carpenters.
Vinny Rowan tattoo
He said: “When she got read her last rites all the family were there and we each got 10 minutes with her and that’s what I sang to her then.”
On the other arm Vincent paid tribute to his Scotland Road-born nan using her maiden name – his special nickname for her.
The message on his left forearm reads: “Cullen held my hand for a short while but holds my heart forever”.
