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Phoenix: An updated Thread.

(415 Posts)
Marydoll Tue 17-Aug-21 07:16:53

Some of you may have missed the thread started by our cherished friend, Phoenix, informing Gransnetters of her illness and the reason for her recent absence from GN. It has been suggested that a new thread is started, directing her friends to the original thread, where she let us know of her terminal diagnosis.
www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/a1299545-Well-what-a-surprise?msgid=28873117#28873117

Sadly, Phoenix is no longer able to read your messages or PMs, but has said how she, her family and close friends have found comfort in the love and support, you have shown her.

This thread will try and keep you all updated, with news provided by a Gransnetter, who is in daily in contact with the family.

A heartbreaking time for us all.

Septimia Thu 19-Aug-21 14:57:49

Is there a charity that we might make contributions to in memory of Phoenix?

I'm making assumptions here, but families often ask for donations to charity instead of flowers at funerals.

Since we're all scattered around the country and beyond and won't be able to attend such a event, I feel it would be nice to be able to show our appreciation of her contribution to our lives.

Mapleleaf Thu 19-Aug-21 15:00:09

I've just listened to phoenix on you and yours. A truly amazing lady, very strong and matter of fact about her diagnosis and the effects of the treatments. A brave lady indeed. ?

MawBe Thu 19-Aug-21 15:26:19

Septimia

Is there a charity that we might make contributions to in memory of Phoenix?

I'm making assumptions here, but families often ask for donations to charity instead of flowers at funerals.

Since we're all scattered around the country and beyond and won't be able to attend such a event, I feel it would be nice to be able to show our appreciation of her contribution to our lives.

I am waiting to hear about a chosen charity.
I believe it is likely to be Marie Curie or Cats Protection League but will let you knows as soon as I hear.

Riverwalk Thu 19-Aug-21 15:28:14

Kalu

Yes Oliver Sprout is the tabby alongside Minnie SueDonim. Ever present with us in Team Phoenix. I hope they can bring some comfort to Mr P now. ❤️ One abiding memory was helping Rachel choose just the right wig. What do you all think of this one, cheap as chips on Amazon too. I will ask my lovely hairdresser to snip it here and there a bit…..Rachel’s strength of, no nonsense character and wicked sense of humour was unfailing each and every day. What an amazing, inspirational woman to have as a friend. One of Rachel’s legacies is the strong bond formed by the 8 of us left in Team Phoenix, cherished friends.
Hope you find a decent Sancerre up there Rachel. ❤️

It's ironic and sad that Rachel lost her hair and needed a wig - I remember when some of us sponsored her for 'Brave the Shave'.

She uploaded a photo, which I've searched for but can't find, as it's Moov-ed.

www.gransnet.com/forums/charities/1250624-Brave-the-Shave-now-all-official-and-open-for-donations?pg=3

Maybe someone knows how to access this thread.

NotAGran55 Thu 19-Aug-21 15:28:34

Septimia

Is there a charity that we might make contributions to in memory of Phoenix?

I'm making assumptions here, but families often ask for donations to charity instead of flowers at funerals.

Since we're all scattered around the country and beyond and won't be able to attend such a event, I feel it would be nice to be able to show our appreciation of her contribution to our lives.

Three years ago Phoenix ‘Braved The Shave’ to raise funds for MacMillan Cancer Support . Some of us sponsored her then , so I made a donation to them yesterday in her memory.

Kalu Thu 19-Aug-21 15:40:18

Cats Protection League was a charity very close to Rachel’s heart Septimia. Cancer Research is another worthwhile charity if others feel this a donation they would like to make in Rachel’s name.

Callistemon Thu 19-Aug-21 15:55:33

It's just a year since Rachel was posting on here about her sunflowers which she was going to enter into the village show.
She didn't win a prize for the tallest but did win one for sunflower with most heads!
Rachel was planning to make her garden even more beautiful right up until the last few weeks. Sadly she will it not see it but her garden legacy will live on.

Kalu Thu 19-Aug-21 16:05:58

Riverwalk The irony wasn’t missed by me either.

I have typed in; ‘Phoenix brave the shave’ in the search box above where a few threads appeared with Rachel talking about her experience. Unfortunately, I am not techie enough to put a link on this thread. Perhaps, some kind, more knowledgeable poster can oblige. ?

Marydoll Thu 19-Aug-21 16:48:58

I have found it. I will do the links on after dinner. It's too fiddly on my phone, I'm a PC girl!

Lisagran Thu 19-Aug-21 17:14:16

www.gransnet.com/forums/charities/1250333-I-have-signed-up-for-the-McMillan-Brave-the-Shave
X

Marydoll Thu 19-Aug-21 18:54:41

Here is the second thread.

www.gransnet.com/forums/ask_a_gran/1250587-Brave-the-Shave-part-2

Lisagran Thu 19-Aug-21 20:07:21

Thanks, Marydoll

grannyactivist Thu 19-Aug-21 20:41:23

It’s only ten days ago that Rachel/Phoenix told me she might look like a ‘Billy-no-mates’ at her garden party.

The strength of feeling on here is testament to the fact that she was in fact a ‘Billy-many-mates’ who was admired, treasured, liked - and yes, even loved.

RIP dear friend. ?

MawBe Thu 19-Aug-21 21:11:58

If all the people who have contributed to this thread had been able to attend in person, and of course Rachel had been well enough, what a massive knees-up it would have been!
What a wonderful thought ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

MawBe Fri 20-Aug-21 07:56:22

This picture of Minnie and Oliver Sprout has come to me.
I like to think they were curled up with her.

glammanana Fri 20-Aug-21 08:24:50

Such sad news about such a brave lady fly high and free lovely Phoenix all my heartfelt condolences to Mr P and all those close to Rachael.
Her garden was her passion after her precious cats I remember the hanging basket episode when she won 1st prize she had me in stitches laughing she was simply the best at telling a story and will be greatly missed.flowers

M0nica Fri 20-Aug-21 08:26:35

Will Phoenix's family be doing the usual 'charity rather than flowers' request? because it would be nice if we could all donate to a specific charity in memory of Phoenix, then sometime later that charity will send Mr P a list of all of those who donated in her name and he will know just how many people on GN cared about her.

MawBe Fri 20-Aug-21 08:31:28

It’s a nice thought and I am waiting to hear from Phoenix ‘s friend and neighbour what they have decided. A problem with that though M0nica is that to mention Phoenix in your donation would mean giving her name and I am unsure about breaching GN confidentiality.

Marydoll Fri 20-Aug-21 08:36:20

I have made a donation to one of her favourite charities. For me it is enough for her family to know that some of us have done so, without my name being specifically mentioned.

M0nica Fri 20-Aug-21 08:39:30

Her name has already been given up thread and, sadly, as she has died, she is no longer, officially, a member of GN.

If 20 people, for example, used their real names in making a donation to a charity, it is nothing to do with GN and who could tell which real name went with which GN pseudonym?

Mr P would just get a list that 20 people whose names he would not recognise have made donations, hopefully it would be many more. Details of what charity, address, and reference could surely be published here without a problem.

Marydoll Fri 20-Aug-21 08:44:03

It is up to everyone to do what suits them, that was what suited me.

MawBe Fri 20-Aug-21 08:54:43

M0nica

Will Phoenix's family be doing the usual 'charity rather than flowers' request? because it would be nice if we could all donate to a specific charity in memory of Phoenix, then sometime later that charity will send Mr P a list of all of those who donated in her name and he will know just how many people on GN cared about her.

Phoenix’s full name (surname) has not been given out and unless we are given a link by the family or friends we do not have a specific reference to attach to a donation.
I agree with Marydoll that each person does what they see fit.
Personally, with a Charities Aid account which I pay into monthly, I always use that for donations to charity, but if I get any more information I will pass that on.

Lillie Fri 20-Aug-21 09:03:55

thank you for the information
what a nice idea about a charity donation even if just a small amount dropped anonimously in a cats protection or cancer box

just thinking here
we do all know phoenix full name from the introduction on the you and yours programme

Kalu Fri 20-Aug-21 09:36:45

M0nica. Mr.P is already fully aware how many on GN cared about Phoenix

Cats Protection League or Cancer charities were important charities to Phoenix. Anyone, if they wish to do so, can donate to what would have been chosen by Phoenix herself.

silverlining48 Fri 20-Aug-21 10:03:38

Supporting Cancer research is very close to my heart as my dd has been ill over the recent past so support anyway, but will be making a special Phoenix donation.