Carol and I worked together when she lived here in March, and we became close friends. Carol told me of her life in a Foster home from the age of one following the sad death of her mother, and of her devastation when at the age of 16 she was ejected from the home because there was no more funding. When Carol met Bill her life changed, she was happily married, Carol was a home maker, she enjoyed cooking and their house was always smart but homely. Carol also enjoyed sport - netball, tennis and later on,bowling.Over the next years Bill and Carol moved on several occasions, but we always kept in contact by phone call, letter or the occasional visit.
When Carol told me she had been diagnosed with ovarian Cancer Brian and I hope that it was in the very early stages there was a chance that it could be contained, but this was not to be. Over the next years Carol underwent several operations and bouts of chemo. She found the chemo hard to take but Carol was a fighter, she wanted to live. Even when she lost all her hair Carol bravely carried on with her bowling, her passion.' always with Bill at her side , encouraging her to stay positive.
The last time we spoke was just before Christmas 2017, when she told me that she was having fluid drawn from her lung.I knew then that time was running out for my friend. Bill emailed to say That Carol had lost her battle. It took me some time to compose a reply. What do you say to someone who has just lost the love of his life ? I hope that time will help heal Bill, Zoe and Gavin's broken lives. Carol will always have a place in my heart. R.I.P. Carol Barnard, you did not deserve to suffer so.