Carol - Updates

Just logged on for an update and now this. Oh what a dreadful shame. As many have said though - she died doing what she loved. That love rang out loud and clear in many of her posts on GN. We were privileged to have connected with her. Sympathy to her family and RIP Carol.

So sad to hear this news . Condolences to the family. My thoughts are with you.

How very very sad for her family, but she died doing what she enjoyed and left so many people - including GNetters - with many happy memories.

Very sad news. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends and a special thought for you GNers that knew her personally.

Just had a phone call from Carol's daughter- she arrived safely in South Island NZ a little while ago- and Carol's ashes will soon be interred on top of the hill, but a lovely tree, overlooking the new house. Her final travel and perfect resting place.

That sounds absolutely perfect, granjura.

Thank you for telling us that, granjura.

Perfect resting place overlooking the family home, thank you for letting us know granjura

A fitting place for Greatnan and no mistake.. near her beloved family keeping watch over them.

Could we somehow arrange for a bunch of flowers to be put on her final resting place, with a card saying 'from your friends at gransnet'? Nothing expensive or elaborate [I've even put a single rose on a grave just to show I cared and remembered].

She loved flowering cherries- so perhaps a more fitting tribute would be to pay for the cost of planting a really nice one.

I'm up for that, let us know how to contribute.

That would be lovely.

Lovely idea, granjura.

That sounds good. It will last longer than cut flowers.

Can Gransnet admin please suggest a way to facilitate this, please?

Yes please. I'm rubbish at paypal stuff but could send a cheque to someone who can.

Granjura we would need to check that a flowering cherry is a good option in that part of NZ as the climate is a bit different to the UK. Lots of different microclimates depending on exact location. Something that flourishes in the town park in Nelson could curl up it toes a half a mile up the hill in the wind on poor soil. Maybe family could take some advice and have input - a tree that suits their location and does not need too much TLC to settle it in.

I suspect that donations might equip a small park.

There's a faction in New Zealand that objects to non-indigenous trees. A sort of arboreal nationalism. Perhaps there is an indigenous tree that would be appropriate. When Fiona has been back home a few weeks, we could ask her.

My thoughts too Galen
One climate suitable tree really shouldn't cost that much. There are a whole lot of good varieties coming in at about £40 in uk prices.

If they have suitable species in NZ I would not think they would be relatively much more expensive.

www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/ornamental-trees-c18/flowering-cherry-trees-prunus-trees-c34

the two main NZ species that I can think of, that are flowering natives are:

www.anntonnursery.co.nz/Sophora-Microphylla.html

and

www.123rf.com/photo_18687663_flowers-on-a-pohutukawa-tree-metrosideros-excelsa--flowering-on-the-west-coast-new-zealand.html

I think both of these would be coming into bloom about now, as it is spring.
The yellow one is small tree and the pohutukawa grows into a magnificent big evergreen.

flowering cherries in NZ

A small wood would be even better. I also know F intends to put a bench up there, in memory of Carol. So it would be wonderful if we could cover the cost. The expenses for F and 2 grandsons from UK were huge, and can't be recovered from succession.

I am sure others from the other Forums Carol contributed to would also like to join. A small group of trees and a great bench would just what she would have wanted, and I am sure, her daughter and family too. Will discuss with her next week- as she needs to rest now. If Gransnet can find a way to facilitate payments to the fund, that would be great (bearing in mind many of us live abroad, in France and Switzerland).