I can hardly believe that it just five short weeks since I did the "Horrible News" blog about having heard that my former boss had been diagnosed with secondary cancers. This morning I received a call to say that he died today. He was such a lovely person, considerate, polite - my Mum said, "a real gentleman" although I know that's a very old-fashioned phrase to use nowadays and only people as old as I am will understand what that means - very generous with his knowledge in a sphere where curators and researchers are occasionally very very tight-fisted about sharing their expertise. I am glad that we had a wonderful day out together on 1st September, and I am glad that he was at home, not in an impersonal environment. He was a very modest man considering his achievement. It was a privilege to know him. It;s a strange and cruel world. I had expected him to have been at my funeral.
FormerMember
I'm so sorry to hear the news Penny. Sending you lots of hugs xxxxx
It only seems like last week since you made your original posting about your former boss's illness. What a wonderful description - to say he was a real gentleman says it all and no one could ask for a greater tribute. I know that he was more than just 'a boss' - he was a real friend and mentor, and my heart goes out to you Penny - you will miss him deeply. With much love and hugs. Kate xxx
Oh Penny - I am so sorry to hear the sad news, and I understand completely what your Mum meant by saying he was "a real gentleman". We can ill afford to lose one as there are so few of them left . He has already left his mark on a cruel world by his generosity of spirit alone. You will miss such a dear friend, and I am so glad that you managed to have a day out with him, which I'm sure he also looked upon as a cherished memory. Lots of love Penny, from kate xxxxxxxxxx
A male friend that I've known for years, who had survived familial breast cancer from five years ago, was recently killed in an accident, he was early forties. His wife, who now has a young daughter to bring up alone, is also a friend and when my husband was diagnosed in February I felt she was one of the few who knew what it was like to be the partner of someone with the diagnosis of cancer.
It is very painful when a friend dies and your loss, and hers, seems sudden and cruel.
Thank you for sharing the hurt with us, we are privileged to hear about his humanity.
