Life of keen cyclist celebrated as his coffin is laid out in cafe he owned

Cliff Matthews' widow Anna, right, with their children, Agnes, seven, front left; Elizabeth, 17, back left (in yellow); Alicia Mattcroft, back centre; Seren, 13, third right; and Alexander, 14; with close family friend Min Grout, by Cliff's coffin in the teepee inside La Tour Cycle Café at the celebration of his life. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Cliff Matthews’ coffin lay inside a teepee in La Tour Cycle Cafe, the business he and his wife Anna founded on Ipswich waterfront, while people milled about, sharing their favourite stories about the passionate cyclist and committee member at the Wolsey Road Club where he was a member of for years.

There was a mixture of smiles and tears as people shared memories of Mr Matthews, who sadly died of cancer on March 22.

Anna said: “There are loads of people here and even though not everyone knew Cliff it’s lovely to see as for us it is a celebration of his life and it’s a celebration of Ipswich.

“I think there is a certain taboo about death and we were fortunate enough as a family that we were able to plan for Cliff to die at home surrounded by us all.

Cliff Matthews' widow Anna, right, with their children, Agnes, seven, front left; Elizabeth, 17, back left (in yellow); Alicia Mattcroft, back centre; Seren, 13, third right; and Alexander, 14; with close family friend Min Grout, by Cliff's coffin in the teepee inside La Tour Cycle Café at the celebration of his life. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

“I know that I was nervous about how we would navigate Cliff’s death as a family and that’s why I think it is so important to talk about death.

“My children have been involved in the whole process and I am hoping that long term that is going to mean that we have caused less internal damage to all of us.

“Cliff had said to me, ‘You have to have a party at the cafe’. I’m not sure he thought it would be like this, but he would have though it was brilliant.

“For Cliff, if anything was good, it was brilliant and that’s what he would have thought this is.

Cliff Matthews' widow Anna, right, with their children, Agnes, seven, front left; Elizabeth, 17, back left (in yellow); Alicia Mattcroft, back centre; Seren, 13, third right; and Alexander, 14; with close family friend Min Grout, by Cliff's coffin in the teepee inside La Tour Cycle Café at the celebration of his life. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

“I know he would have been very proud of his children and the way they have taken the past couple of weeks.”

The party also saw musicians entertain the crowd with lively tunes.

A funeral service and burial at the church of St Mary, Nettlestead, west of Claydon, will take place on Friday, April 5, with a cycle procession from Mr Matthews’ home before a celebration at a friend’s barn.

Karen Eaton who was on the committee of the Wolsey Road Club alongside Mr Matthews said: “It has been really nice meeting up with people and talking about our favourite memories of Cliff.

Cliff Matthews' widow Anna, right, with their children, Agnes, seven, front left; Elizabeth, 17, back left (in yellow); Alicia Mattcroft, back centre; Seren, 13, third right; and Alexander, 14; with close family friend Min Grout, by Cliff's coffin in the teepee inside La Tour Cycle Café at the celebration of his life. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

“Whilst it’s quite sad, it is nice to remember him with a smile on our faces.

“This party is perfect for his character. I know he would have loved this.”

Cliff Matthews' widow Anna, right, with their children, Agnes, seven, front left; Elizabeth, 17, back left (in yellow); Alicia Mattcroft, back centre; Seren, 13, third right; and Alexander, 14; with close family friend Min Grout, by Cliff's coffin in the teepee inside La Tour Cycle Café at the celebration of his life. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Cliff Matthews' widow Anna, right, with their children, Agnes, seven, front left; Elizabeth, 17, back left (in yellow); Alicia Mattcroft, back centre; Seren, 13, third right; and Alexander, 14; with close family friend Min Grout, by Cliff's coffin in the teepee inside La Tour Cycle Café at the celebration of his life. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Cliff Matthews' widow Anna, right, with their children, Agnes, seven, front left; Elizabeth, 17, back left (in yellow); Alicia Mattcroft, back centre; Seren, 13, third right; and Alexander, 14; with close family friend Min Grout, by Cliff's coffin in the teepee inside La Tour Cycle Café at the celebration of his life. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Cliff Matthews' widow Anna, right, with their children, Agnes, seven, front left; Elizabeth, 17, back left (in yellow); Alicia Mattcroft, back centre; Seren, 13, third right; and Alexander, 14; with close family friend Min Grout, by Cliff's coffin in the teepee inside La Tour Cycle Café at the celebration of his life. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Cliff Matthews' widow Anna, right, with their children, Agnes, seven, front left; Elizabeth, 17, back left (in yellow); Alicia Mattcroft, back centre; Seren, 13, third right; and Alexander, 14; with close family friend Min Grout, by Cliff's coffin in the teepee inside La Tour Cycle Café at the celebration of his life. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Cliff Matthews' widow Anna, right, with their children, Agnes, seven, front left; Elizabeth, 17, back left (in yellow); Alicia Mattcroft, back centre; Seren, 13, third right; and Alexander, 14; with close family friend Min Grout, by Cliff's coffin in the teepee inside La Tour Cycle Café at the celebration of his life. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)