Tributes for Carol

This is so very sad, all our thoughts are with the family.

I would like to add something to my earlier post.

Many people have said "Rest In Peace" , but if there is any sort of afterlife, you can bet your bottom dollar that Greatnan will not be resting! She will be out there, exploring her new surroundings and working out how it could be organised better!

phoenix How very true, well said.

phoenix

If there is an afterlife, Phoenix, no-one will be more surprised than Carol.

phoenix She'd be the first to admit - she wouldn't be able to help herself!

Like everyone else, I was upset to read the news of Carol's death. Like many others I hoped she would have found safety in a refuge and emerge to tell us about another great adventure.
My heart now goes out to her family. I think I have read that a new baby is expected in the spring. My first thought was of sadness for her daughter giving birth without without her mother at hand. But maybe some of Carol's spirit will be born in this baby. Probably sounds mad, but it gives me hope that her indomitable spirit will live on in 'person' in her family, and be a comfort to Heather and her family.

Greatnan was very supportive to me when, as a new Gransnetter, I started a thread about 'Walking a marathon in a day', last year. We had an email correspondence and found we shared several things, including some difficult experiences. She also reassured me when a few very negative posts appeared...
I shall never forget her support and understanding. RIP Carol x

She was------------Carol!

Your words earlier, phoenix which are so apposite remind me of the lovely poems Scarlet 123 (?) posted earlier, especially "Autumn".
I also like this:

"Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die."
Carol will remain with us in her words and in our memories and will live on in her wonderful daughters and grandchildren.

A brave an indomitable lady - my condolences to her family. I remember a recent post of hers expressing her delight at her daughter's new house in NZ with room for her. How sad for them that will never be but she died doing what she loved most, perhaps thinking of a new adventure to come. RIP Carol.

The poem that Phoenix posted on page 2 was read at my beloved Dad's funeral, and it was very apt for him, and comforting for us who loved and missed him so. I think it is very apt for Greatnan also.

What a wonderful varied life she has led, she really lived life to the full, in a kind and generous way, and her family were obviously everything to her. If she were my Nan/Mum/Greatnan I would be so proud to know how many lives she has touched, and how well thought of she is, by people who have only "met" her virtually. That is a very special and rare type of person.

This time is so terribly hard for her family and close friends, but I hope at some time in the future they will take some comfort in knowing how well loved she was by others too, a very special lady who will be greatly missed by all.

A one off

I will always remember when I was supposed to be writing a report and avoiding it by sneaking a look on gransnet. I made the mistake of admitting it and a post bounced back saying 'nightowl - just do it'. Which of course, I did!

I shall always think of her as the headmistress on my shoulder!

bags leaving you some flapjacks and refreshment in case you nip in when we're not around.

Sorry, so tired - that was for soop's kitchen.

Very sad news. Condolences to Carol's family and sympathy towards all those Gransnetters who knew Greatnan personally.

My eldest granddaughter read that poem at her grandad's funeral.

I had not met Carol face to face but, like others, I did feel we were real friends based on our almost daily communications on GN, FB & PMs. We shared a similar philosophy on life as well as a similar sense of humour!
She was such an interesting person because she lived her life to the full. She had had her own challenges and troubles to overcome but outwardly she remained upbeat. Typically she was very thoughtful, sensitive and supportive to me when I was managing a difficult personal situation. Her support for a particular cause close to my heart also endeared her to me. I admired a great deal about Carol but what shone through stronger than her feisty approach to life, her political ideals, her atheism and her jokes was the huge love she had for her daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her sister. Her family gave her enormous joy and her attitude to her family reminded me of these chorus words from the lovely lullaby, Everything‘s Possible by Roy Bailey :
Oh you can be anybody you want to be
You can love whomever you will
You can travel any country that your hear leads
And know that I will love you still
You can live by yourself, you can gather friends round
You can choose one special one
But the only measure of your words and your deeds
Will be the love you leave behind when you’re done.

Carol has left a whole lot of love behind. What a great legacy. I will miss her x

Oh Pens - that is so moving

This poem's sentiments might suit Carol (excusing the Gender)

_Let Me Die A Youngman's Death_

Let me die a youngman's death
not a clean and inbetween
the sheets holywater death
not a famous-last-words
peaceful out of breath death

When I'm 73
and in constant good tumour
may I be mown down at dawn
by a bright red sports car
on my way home
from an allnight party

Or when I'm 91
with silver hair
and sitting in a barber's chair
may rival gangsters
with hamfisted tommyguns burst in
and give me a short back and insides

Or when I'm 104
and banned from the Cavern
may my mistress
catching me in bed with her daughter
and fearing for her son
cut me up into little pieces
and throw away every piece but one

Let me die a youngman's death
not a free from sin tiptoe in
candle wax and waning death
not a curtains drawn by angels borne
'what a nice way to go' death

Roger McGough

On, yes Nellie

And this:

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”

― Hunter S. Thompson

nellie & when good words. because Carol would have smiled!

What wonderful sentiments - and so apt! Thank you, ladies!

Sending condolences to all friends and family.

Her GN user name was so apt, she certainly was a Greatnan

I feel honoured to have known her, and proud to think of myself as her friend [albeit an internet one]. Did plan to visit her one day . I think having her in our lives has been an inspiration to us all.