Post by Dave on Apr 27, 2011 20:33:27 GMT
Below is the tribute read out last Wednesday at the service to celebrate Carols life and I would like to share it with you all. I will add a few thoughts on my own at the bottom of it.
Tribute
Carol was born on the 26th November 1958, in Totnes, to Mervyn and Josephine Collings. Her Father worked as an engineer and Carol shared with her siblings Deborah, Kevin, Gary, Robert and Carl a happy childhood along with a friendship, which continued throughout their lives.
As a child Carol loved spending time with her Grandparents in Harbertonford, she adored her Grandfather Charlie, he was such a constant source of wisdom and laughter to his granddaughter.
He shared with her, his passion for the beautiful game and showed her the delights that could be found in a simple walk. Whilst the other men in the family would go stock car racing Charlie would gather the children together and walk with them to Bow Bridge. Mill Bay Beach, East Portlemouth was another of Carol’s favourite childhood haunts.
On leaving school Carol began her working life as a secretary before becoming a full time Mum. Carol was a good Mother to Adam, Simon, Alan and Steven - they were her life.
She was incredibly proud of them and took great delight in spending time with them encouraging them, loving them. You were adored, idolized, loved, and treasured, every adjective you can think of from the day you were born.
Carol was a very attractive young woman who always took a great pride in her appearance. She had a wicked sense of humour and a delicious sense of fun.
Naturally warm and friendly, Carol’s bright positive personality was such that she could walk into an otherwise dull room and make peoples lives more enjoyable and fun with her innate ability to make those around her laugh and see the funny side of everyday situations. Carol had a heart of gold and would happily share with the whole world.
She worked as a Classroom Assistant at Hayes Road School for a while before finding her working niche at Jack Sears House. Carol loved working there and was encouraged to progress from Care Assistant to Senior Care Assistant by taking her NVQ level 3 in palliative care which she passed with flying colours.
Not only encouraged by her colleagues to take her exam but also her husband Dave whom she met in the early 90’s. Dave was Carol’s milkman and the rest as they say is history. They married on the 30th August 2002 at Oldway Mansions and on that day Carol not only gained a husband but also another son in Antony whom she loved dearly.
And he tells me that Carol cooked a wonderful roast dinner but probably better not to mention her other culinary skills. She loved to crochet and to pit her wits against the daily crossword, which she could complete with ease, even the cryptic ones.
Her musical taste was eclectic but she particularly liked the sounds of Mowtown, which she couldn’t resist dancing too. I have it on good authority that Carol was a bit of a mover and a shaker on the dance floor.
When it came to the TV Carol liked to watch NCI, Deal or No Deal and the footie. But Carol’s real passion was for walking whether it was on one of hers and Dave’s Sunday days out to a National Trust, a Heritage Site, walking along a coastal path or a disused railway line Carol was in her element.
Carol adored the rural charm of the West Country and appreciated more than most the natural beauty that surrounded her. A true sun worshipper Carol would prefer to spend the whole day outside, if the sun was shining, often on her bench in her garden.
Carol was passionate about animals especially Cleo her double yellow crown Amazon parrot and had a particular penchant for dolphins.
Not a deeply religious woman Carol believed that the way you treated people and the respect you showed to others was far more important than which church you belonged to, your background, your politics or where you came from. Se accepted people for who they were without prejudice or judgement.
Carol always took great pleasure in engaging with people was an extremely true and loyal friend. She was the very best kind of friend, the one you can sit with, do nothing, never say a word to and then walk away; feeling like it was the best conversation you ever had.
Someone whose door was always open; someone who would take the time to listen and help anyone in any way she could. Carol always put everyone else’s needs before her own.
All through the period of fighting her illness, she could always smile and her impish strident sense of humour constantly found it’s way to the surface. Despite the turmoil raging inside her Carol made it easy for her family and friends to be around her.
One of her colleagues said that she couldn’t go pass a KFC sign without thinking that the letters referred to Carol – KFC = Kind Friendly Carol.
Strong willed and very determined I think that it is suffice to say that whatever she did or where ever she went, Carol’s family was always paramount in her heart and you boys are a testimony to your Mother’s love and hard work.
Carol was a woman of great warmth and humour, one whose integrity and kindness will leave a huge void in the lives of all who knew and loved her. Especially her family:
Dave her beloved husband best friend and soul mate
Adam, Simon, Alan, Steven and Antony whom she loved unconditionally.
Steph, Kirsty, Kelly and Alex whom Carol welcomed into her family with open arms and loved them as her own.
Grandchildren Faith, Holly, Sonny and Alfie with whom Carol shared such a special relationship the kind that only Grandparents seem able to achieve.
And of course Carol’s parents and siblings and all other members of her family and friends. Together you have made so many very happy memories that will last a lifetime and beyond.
A sweet, funny lady, Carol was well liked and well respected. She was one of the ‘good guys’, a decent human being and a very courageous woman, whose passion for life and enthusiasm for living knew no bounds. And this is the legacy she leaves you her beloved family and friends, and it is within you that Carol’s spirit lives on.
They say you only find one true love in your life, my only real wish is I found mine when I was so much younger so that I could have had her in my life for so much longer.
Carol really was the most warmest kindest loving person I have ever known and was so brave and courageous. I don't know how she still managed to smile every day in the pain she was in, but she did and I know I was so very lucky to have found her when I did.
As I said she never stopped loving me and I never stopped loving her, we just were unable to win that battle in the end.Thanks dear Carol for making me so happy for as long as you did, we both know our love for each other can never die it was just your body that did.
Love Dave
Tribute
Carol was born on the 26th November 1958, in Totnes, to Mervyn and Josephine Collings. Her Father worked as an engineer and Carol shared with her siblings Deborah, Kevin, Gary, Robert and Carl a happy childhood along with a friendship, which continued throughout their lives.
As a child Carol loved spending time with her Grandparents in Harbertonford, she adored her Grandfather Charlie, he was such a constant source of wisdom and laughter to his granddaughter.
He shared with her, his passion for the beautiful game and showed her the delights that could be found in a simple walk. Whilst the other men in the family would go stock car racing Charlie would gather the children together and walk with them to Bow Bridge. Mill Bay Beach, East Portlemouth was another of Carol’s favourite childhood haunts.
On leaving school Carol began her working life as a secretary before becoming a full time Mum. Carol was a good Mother to Adam, Simon, Alan and Steven - they were her life.
She was incredibly proud of them and took great delight in spending time with them encouraging them, loving them. You were adored, idolized, loved, and treasured, every adjective you can think of from the day you were born.
Carol was a very attractive young woman who always took a great pride in her appearance. She had a wicked sense of humour and a delicious sense of fun.
Naturally warm and friendly, Carol’s bright positive personality was such that she could walk into an otherwise dull room and make peoples lives more enjoyable and fun with her innate ability to make those around her laugh and see the funny side of everyday situations. Carol had a heart of gold and would happily share with the whole world.
She worked as a Classroom Assistant at Hayes Road School for a while before finding her working niche at Jack Sears House. Carol loved working there and was encouraged to progress from Care Assistant to Senior Care Assistant by taking her NVQ level 3 in palliative care which she passed with flying colours.
Not only encouraged by her colleagues to take her exam but also her husband Dave whom she met in the early 90’s. Dave was Carol’s milkman and the rest as they say is history. They married on the 30th August 2002 at Oldway Mansions and on that day Carol not only gained a husband but also another son in Antony whom she loved dearly.
And he tells me that Carol cooked a wonderful roast dinner but probably better not to mention her other culinary skills. She loved to crochet and to pit her wits against the daily crossword, which she could complete with ease, even the cryptic ones.
Her musical taste was eclectic but she particularly liked the sounds of Mowtown, which she couldn’t resist dancing too. I have it on good authority that Carol was a bit of a mover and a shaker on the dance floor.
When it came to the TV Carol liked to watch NCI, Deal or No Deal and the footie. But Carol’s real passion was for walking whether it was on one of hers and Dave’s Sunday days out to a National Trust, a Heritage Site, walking along a coastal path or a disused railway line Carol was in her element.
Carol adored the rural charm of the West Country and appreciated more than most the natural beauty that surrounded her. A true sun worshipper Carol would prefer to spend the whole day outside, if the sun was shining, often on her bench in her garden.
Carol was passionate about animals especially Cleo her double yellow crown Amazon parrot and had a particular penchant for dolphins.
Not a deeply religious woman Carol believed that the way you treated people and the respect you showed to others was far more important than which church you belonged to, your background, your politics or where you came from. Se accepted people for who they were without prejudice or judgement.
Carol always took great pleasure in engaging with people was an extremely true and loyal friend. She was the very best kind of friend, the one you can sit with, do nothing, never say a word to and then walk away; feeling like it was the best conversation you ever had.
Someone whose door was always open; someone who would take the time to listen and help anyone in any way she could. Carol always put everyone else’s needs before her own.
All through the period of fighting her illness, she could always smile and her impish strident sense of humour constantly found it’s way to the surface. Despite the turmoil raging inside her Carol made it easy for her family and friends to be around her.
One of her colleagues said that she couldn’t go pass a KFC sign without thinking that the letters referred to Carol – KFC = Kind Friendly Carol.
Strong willed and very determined I think that it is suffice to say that whatever she did or where ever she went, Carol’s family was always paramount in her heart and you boys are a testimony to your Mother’s love and hard work.
Carol was a woman of great warmth and humour, one whose integrity and kindness will leave a huge void in the lives of all who knew and loved her. Especially her family:
Dave her beloved husband best friend and soul mate
Adam, Simon, Alan, Steven and Antony whom she loved unconditionally.
Steph, Kirsty, Kelly and Alex whom Carol welcomed into her family with open arms and loved them as her own.
Grandchildren Faith, Holly, Sonny and Alfie with whom Carol shared such a special relationship the kind that only Grandparents seem able to achieve.
And of course Carol’s parents and siblings and all other members of her family and friends. Together you have made so many very happy memories that will last a lifetime and beyond.
A sweet, funny lady, Carol was well liked and well respected. She was one of the ‘good guys’, a decent human being and a very courageous woman, whose passion for life and enthusiasm for living knew no bounds. And this is the legacy she leaves you her beloved family and friends, and it is within you that Carol’s spirit lives on.
They say you only find one true love in your life, my only real wish is I found mine when I was so much younger so that I could have had her in my life for so much longer.
Carol really was the most warmest kindest loving person I have ever known and was so brave and courageous. I don't know how she still managed to smile every day in the pain she was in, but she did and I know I was so very lucky to have found her when I did.
As I said she never stopped loving me and I never stopped loving her, we just were unable to win that battle in the end.Thanks dear Carol for making me so happy for as long as you did, we both know our love for each other can never die it was just your body that did.
Love Dave
