Tributes for Carol

I am so sad to hear this news. Like others, I have been hoping against hope that she would be found safely. It is hard to believe she has gone; she was such a strong character and will not be forgotten by gransnetters. She was very kind to me on more than one occasion. With heartfelt sympathy to her family and friends. Goodnight Carol xx

It was a privilege to know Carol. She was one of those characters you remember because of her curiosity and daredevil nature. She showed me round her beloved mountains and a few places where she had nearly come a cropper. But there was more to her than her great love for her family, mountains and adventure. She was cultured, loved language and its nuances, adored music, dining out and picnicking, snorkelling on coral reefs, and so many enjoyable pastimes that made her a great conversationalist, because she had an opinion about everything.

My abiding memory is of us tootling along mountain passes in beautiful autumn sunshine, windows open, with Katherine Jenkins and Maria Callas arias emanating from her CD player, singing her head off. Just where she belonged.

A true inspiration to so many. I read Carol's posts long before I joined GN. I am deeply sadened for Carol's family, whom she clearly loved so much and for her many friends. Your legacy will live on Carol.

So sorry. My condolences to Carol's family and friends.

I thought she was safe in a mountain refuge hut waiting to be rescued. It was not to be.Such sad news today. As my Irish Grandmother used to say "I'm so sorry for your trouble", when someone died and I truly say that to Carol's family now.

An inspiration to us all, we had differing views on some things but discussion with her was still a joy. Condolences to her family, she will be greatly missed. R.I.P. Carol

'What we have once enjoyed we can never lose... All that we love deeply becomes a part of us' Helen Keller

Carol has become a part of so very many lives, she will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

I think as has already been said, what a true inspiration Carol has been to us all. I hope I can put as much into my life as Carol has put into hers, although I only knew her through Gransnet, she and what has happened has touched me deeply as it has so many others. I will never ever think I am too old to try anything again as I will always remember this wonderful lady. To her family, there are no words to say as you must just be so devastated, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carol, you will be missed by so many and it has been an absolute privilege to know you. R.I P. XX.

I read a quote by Abraham Lincoln who said " And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
No-one could have lived life to the full more than Carol and although it has been cruelly cut short, her zest for life and for living was an inspiration to so many. She enriched all our lives and I consider myself privileged that my life was touched by her.

She will be so much missed by so many people!

She died as she lived - living life to the full and in a place she loved. May this be a comfort to her family.

Sincere condolences to family and friends of Carol who was, indeed, an inspiration to us all.
'To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all'
Oscar Wilde
Remembering an amazing woman who really lived life to the full.

I only knew Carol (Greatnan) from Gransnet but she seemed an amazing women and her posts were a joy. My condolences to her family at this very difficult and sad time. She will be missed by everyone

I know that Carol was much loved and respected. My condolences RIP Carol

In the short time I have known Carol, she has become so much a part of my life. Always hospitable, she welcomed me to her Alpine apartment and took great pride in showing me 'her' mountains, lakes, waterfalls and pretty villages. She enjoyed driving round New Zealand just as I have and we shared many political and (non)religious views. We were almost the same age and I cannot believe that she has gone before me. My thoughts go out to her daughters, grandchildren and adored great-grandchildren. She was so looking forward to the birth of Heather's new baby in the spring. Carol, you enriched the lives of those who knew you. The world is a poorer place without you.

I am very sad to hear the news. Although we often had different views Carol was also supportive. Goodbye Greatnan you will be remembered for your great passion for adventure.

When Carol & I found we were both in Nelson, NZ, in March, we arranged to meet for lunch. I'd never met anyone via the internet before & we joked about whether we really were the people we said we were. But Carol was so much more than I could ever have imagined, even from her posts, & we didn't stop talking about every topic under the sun and especially about her family & her future hopes for life in NZ. Her life story was inspiring; her current story amazing. I came away determined never to be put off saying what I believed or trying new things. She was of course affected by things & people but she never let anything get her down for long & bounced back with renewed vigour. Such a short meeting; such a big impression. My lasting memory is seeing her walk away side-by-side with Fiona, a daughter she was so proud of. Goodbye Carol x

Sadly our worst fears realised. I am just so glad that it would seem things were not protracted for her. Rest peacefully now Carol wherever you are.x x

so sorry to hear this news ..thinking of family and friends

My condolences to Carol's family. May they find comfort in the fact that their Grandmother/Greatgrandmother was one to be proud of, who had many friends and loved her family dearly.

Such truly sad news, Rest in Peace Carol.

I know I have already written something, but I just wanted to add a few words. It is something that we put on our sons gravestone and I just think it feels right to put it here. " If love provided life, you never would have died " For Carol.

Sad, sad, so sad,we seemed to clash but our pm's were just that,ours.
My sincere condolences to the family, and similar to her real life friends who were lucky to have been able to spend time with her.

I think she might approve of these sentiments:

You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on

Rest in Peace Carol. Heartfelt sympathy to Carol's family in such difficult circumstances. She was one in a million and will be missed by many.