Peter Howells

A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE of Lee Howells - Inverness Crematorium - 7th August 2023



Ceremony conducted by ALAN SMURTHWAITE - Funeral Celebrant



This is part of the ceremony to celebrate Lee’s life. Wife Samantha, Daughters Shannon, Eilidh and Lee’s parents Peter and Chris looked back over his life. Later you will hear what they had to say, along with other contributions.


Let us think of Lee now as we celebrate his life. Parents Peter and Chris, his wife Samantha and his two daughters Shannon and Eilidh relayed fond memories of their beloved Son, Husband and Father


Lee was born at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness in the Scottish Highlands on Tuesday 19th December 1978. He was a younger brother to Dale. He was a sweet, mischievous, lovely natured boy, always full of fun and very daring! At Glenmorangie Whisky Distillery, Lee started off as a warehouse man and quickly progressed into what he would call his dream job, Stillman. Lee was very passionate and proud of the company that he worked for and was always willing to share his own knowledge and experience with new employees and took great pride in showing off a little to the tour groups in what he did.


Lee went on to meet his wife Samantha, who his parents described as a beautiful girl, on a blind date, which wasn’t typical and immediately fell head over heels in love with her! Lee’s Dad, worked with Samantha for some years so he already knew of her. After the date, Lee came home and said to him “Why the hell didn’t you tell me she was so bloody gorgeous!” He answered, “Well, you never asked me!” They shortly got married and have two beautiful daughters, Shannon and Eilidh, who Lee was immensely proud of.


Samantha read the following to the assembled mourners.



“If I could bring you back again,
For one more hour or day,
I'd express all our unspoken love;
I would have countless things to say.
If I could bring you back again,
I'd say I treasured you,
And that your presence in our lives
Meant more than you ever knew.
If I could bring you back again,
To tell you what I should,
You’d know how much I miss you now,
And if I could, I would.”


Lee was devoted to his family, especially his two girls. He was a very generous person and he spoilt his daughters to the point of where Shannon and Eilidh would always have the latest gadget without asking. Lee’s generosity extended to his wife as he spoiled her with a Micheal Kor’s Handbag for her birthday. However, Samantha was more concerned where she could store her bingo pens as it so small. Lee passed on his love of Lego to Eilidh, as a young boy Lee would play and constructed all sorts of things from Lego. Lee and Eilidh would spend many hours in the toy store picking out Lego and taking it home to build. He had a habit of buying Eilidh some Lego for her birthday and then taking it back from her and constructing it himself.


Lee always encouraged his children to follow their passions in life and to do things that made them happy. Lee bought Eilidh’s first Guitar when she was 12 years old, Lee helped nurture Eilidh’s love of music which continues to this day. Lee passed on his love of cars and motorbikes to his daughter Shannon. He had bought Shannon’s first mini motorbike as a young child and her first car at 17 (a Mini) which Shannon loved. Lee would often have Shannon under the bonnet of the car explaining the mechanics of a car engine. Shannon’s love of cars continue to this day but thankfully she never troubled her own parents with stash of secret cars around the neighbourhood.


Shannon read the following to the assembled mourners.


“He never looked for praises
He was never one to boast
He just went on quietly working
For the ones he loved the most

His dreams were seldom spoken
His wants were very few
And most of the time his worries
Went unspoken too

He was there..a firm foundation
Through all our storms of life
A sturdy hand to hold on to
In times of stress and strife

A true friend we could turn to
When times were good or bad
One of our greatest blessings
The man that we called dad.”


Lastly, it was Eilidh’s turn to come up to read.


“There are certain people who make the world a better place just by being it. my dad was one of those people

He was caring, selfless and strong, I have and always will be so proud of my dad, I remember telling everyone how cool it is at my job that my dad worked for Glenmorangie Distillery , that he was apart of “the 16 men of Tain.”

He always took such pride in whatever he did, he always used to tell me “if you’re doing a job you better do it right” at the time i used to find that annoying but now I realise my dad always just wanted the best for everyone he knew.
He was always there, for a hug, for a shoulder to cry on, for advice. My Dad will always be my rock, will always be my best friend

In many ways I see my dad constantly in myself, from his awful humour to his obsession with Lego to him buying me my first guitar.
Whatever dreams I had my Dad said I could do it, he always said he was so proud of me, I hope I can keep making him proud

I hope every time I achieve something that he will be looking down at me saying “good job pals” I am going to miss him more than words can explain and I just hope that he’s finally at peace, having a nap on the couch with Jamie, our beloved family Spaniel.

I think for a long time I will sit with these emotions of grief, that I’ll try to run from the fact that your not here anymore, and how I have to miss you for longer than I knew you. I still think maybe one day I’ll see you again, but just not in this life.

A thousand moments that I took for granted with you, only wishing for a thousand more

Whenever I close my eyes, the night you passed replays in my mind, I wake up everyday and for a split second I forget you are gone, in a way it’s like loosing you all over again.

I miss you so much and I always will
I love you Dad.”



Music “Hurt” by Johnny Cash - Performed by Eilidh Howells


Lee was mild mannered, smart, precise and particular in everything that he did. Lee was a creature of habit, every morning having the same routine, switching on the radio, boiling the kettle and making two cups of coffee as one was never enough.

Lee was one of those people who left an impression on anyone he met. He touched many lives during his time on this earth and he never distinguished between a beggar or a King and would happily speak to anyone, anywhere! Always happy to lend a hand if you needed it and generous to a fault. He would gladly give you his last penny if you needed it. Lee was at his his most content and happiest when with his family always ensuring that he provided, protected and loved them unconditionally.


In the words of his own Mum and Dad Peter and Christina.


“Rest in Peace Lee, our Beautiful Boy! We always loved you and we always will. Mum and Dad.”





Kind and considerate every day
Helpful and pleasant to all on the way.
Smiling and thoughtful, loving and giving,
Seemed to have every reason for living.
Of love and devotion he cannot be faulted
a tragedy his life was so suddenly halted.


Lee died on 26 July 2023, unexpectedly and tragically. He is going to be a tremendous loss to his family and to his friends at work.

Today marks the end of Lee 's time but the memory of him will live on. He will be much missed by his family and friends. Although you feel the pain of loss, we have gladly shared memories and we now accept the circle of life has completed for him.



The family would like to thank staff and employees of Glenmorangie for their support, Gary George, Roy McFarlane, Craig Taylor, David Guthrie, Jimmy Cameron, Alan Duff, Jimmy Mackay and Murph.


Cherish the good times that you have had together and think of Lee with joy. Grieve for him but laugh without guilt, cry without shame, cherish every moment of your lives together. I hope that you will all remember the good days and forget the bad ones. Keep your memories of him, because memories are special things, they last from day to day, they can’t get lost, they don’t wear out, and they can’t be taken away.


This may be a final tribute, a day to celebrate your life and say goodbyes but it's not final.

Every day we'll celebrate in some way, either just by the virtue of how you shaped our lives, or simply the fact that we have known you as a family member and friend.


In this final act, with respect, love and appreciation
We commit his body to its last journey
and we take our leave of him.”


Exit Music by “Bon Jovi - Always”

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5

2 years ago | [YT] | 7