Such sad news. Condolences to her family and friends xx

I haven't long joined this forum but I always read her posts with great interest and learnt so much from her prior to getting our little kitten. Even from past posts of many years ago through doing searches of possibly covered topics. Such a great loss to this forum, rest in peace Chillminx (Stef).

 

So shocked and very, very sad to hear this devastating news about Chillminx (Stef) what a wonderful, very special lady she was with a heart of gold. She will be greatly missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this incredibly sad time. I would also like to contribute to flowers or to the shelter where she volunteered.

 

Best wishes to her family and friends.
She took a huge amount of time to help individuals.
Her responses to certain aliments were so detailed and put in ways that anyone could understand.

 

Well I’m sure I’m not the only one shedding tears at this sad news.
Stef had shared with me some time ago that she had chronic health issues which would shorten her life but I had no idea about this latest diagnosis.
We had chatted quite a lot over pm through the years and one particular conversation comes to mind...about the charities we were choosing to support. We both worried about the waste of funds seen in the bigger charities, including the one she volunteered for. She gave me details of her favoured cat charity and I could share that part of her pm here if folks would like? I too would love to contribute to a lasting and practical memorial such as a sponsored pen.

 

Well I'm sure I'm not the only one shedding tears at this sad news.

You're not. I keep coming back to the thread and still can't quite believe it.

I hope she wouldn't mind me sharing this, but this was in the last PM i had from her late last year. It feels like a premonition now.

 

I am happy to join in for both a floral tribute and a pen in her honor. She was truly a friend to cats and those that love them.

I think that is a good idea @Paddypaws about using her favorite cat charity. Please share.

I feel a bit in disbelief still even though I knew she was not well. It seems so sudden and the forum will not be the same without her.

 

I'm very sorry to hear this sad news. Chillminx has helped me many times since I have joined this forum. Without her I would still be clueless. I am forever grateful for her kindness and knowledge that she has shared. Thank you Chillminx.

My thoughts and prayers for her family, friends, and even her cats.

 

Yes I’d like to contribute to a pen in her honour too please.

 

this is a quote from a pm conversation between us.as you can see, Stef had huge respect for the work of Sally at the Arc and so I believe that would be a great charity to support in her memory.
she mentions Golden Oldies too, referencing another small charity, but we could combine the two wishes and maybe sponsor an oldie cat through the Arc as well as providing a pen?


So what I have done is give as much support as I can to the ARC. Because of the distance I live from Sally my support has been mostly financial in the form of donations of cat food, and cat accessories, as well as money. And moral support to Sal herself. If I lived nearer or was in better health I would do so much more to help her. She is an amazing woman, I am full of admiration for her tireless work, her strength to carry on day after day at the 'coal face' dealing with many horrendous, deeply upsetting situations. I do worry about her health though, and often fear she is overdoing things.

So like you, I do feel I would rather give the bulk of my support to places like the ARC. Every penny the ARC gets is appreciated and put to good use immediately. There is not an atom of complacency there (unlike the Rescue I belong to) and I know that every bit of support Sally gets counts and is valued..

I also like very much the work of the Golden Oldies and would like to see them grow so they can offer more help to more cats.

 

I am so sorry to read about Steff she helped me many times. This is such a shock. RIP lovely Chillminx

viv xx

 

OMG. This is a massive shock. Stef helped me out loads with Barneys issues. Always there to help and respond to messages for advice. Cant believe it. such sad news.

I will definitely contribute.

RIP Stef
X

 

I am shocked and saddened by this news. Even though I didn’t know her well, it was impossible not to notice how helpful she was to anyone who asked for help. She will be sorely missed on the forum. My condolences to her friends and family.

I would also like to contribute to any fund.

 

Been thinking a bit about Chillminx and the interactions I had with her on the forums and wondering if there is a way to create another tribute. Something that shows the impact she had on the many forum members and their cats.

The only thing I could think of is some kind of book of remembrance / thread of remembrance.

Maybe something like a photo of our cats and a short statement. For example,

This is Darcy, when Darcy had an unknown illness Chillminx was there to offer help, support and reassurance. Thank you Chillminx

Just thinking out loud really

 

the impact she had on the many forum members

I (and it seems others too) have never felt so deeply the tremendous, and probably irreplaceable loss of someone I have never even met: it honestly feels as though someone switched off a really bright light and the forum will be so much poorer without her as there is no-one really to take her place - she's a sort of unsung hero. As with @MilleD, Stef did once tell me she was terrified of getting covid because of her health issues, tho' I had no idea how serious they were and talking of someone on the forum who had been unnecessarily rude to her she said (jokingly I thought): ''With any luck she might leave, but not in my lifetime'' - I thought it was just a figure of speech.

 

Happy to contribute to whatever is decided. I am still in shock x

 

@Psygon what a lovely idea. Thank you for that suggestion.

 

I am utterly heartbroken.

So very very sorry my dear friend xx

 

@Annealise

I would like to contribute to the floral tribute.

I would also like to contribute to whatever memorial is chosen.

Please can you let Stef's husband know that I am thinking of her and that I am devastated.

 

I think it would be a good idea if anyone who wants to start donations for a pen or cat charity liaises with @Annealise as she has already said she has something in mind, then whatever is decided could be put to the rest of us to donate otherwise it could get a bit disorganised. I'm happy to give for flowers and a charity

 

@ Charity - Thank you. I feel we will all feel present by sending the floral display but I do like the ideas of the pen or Stef's particular cat charity. I have asked the mod @SusieRainbow to take over the financial contributions in an official capacity.

After searching for something suitable I found this; I think Stef would have liked it

 

I am so so shocked and saddened hearing this, although I’ve not been a member of this forum for long I loved reading Chillminx’s replies to other members as they were so detailed and you knew she was talking from long experience and a deep affection for all cats. I will sorely miss her informative posts.

Please send my heartfelt condolences to her family. I would also like to contribute to a charity or memorial, she was a very special person x

 

I'm another at a loss for words. She helped me and so many other newbies out so much and was always so kind.

RIP Chillminx.

 

So shocked and devastated to be reading this.
I had been wondering why I hadn't seen any words of wisdom from Chillminx recently.
She was such a dedicated and knowledgeable cat lady, so helpful to anyone that needed it.
I will happily donate.

RIP Chillminx

 

Such sad news ...
The forum has lost a wonderful person who was always happy to help and advise and who made it a trully amazing place for us all.
RIP Stef, you will be sorely missed by so many!
My deepest condolences for Stef's family and friends ...
I would also like to contribute to flowers/memorial

 

I haven't had chance to get online since early yesterday evening, so am shocked and saddened to hear this news. Chillminx (Stef) helped discover that one of my cats has a chicken intolerance, which has been a godsend, I'll really miss her posts and excellent advice. I'd be happy to contribute too. My heartfelt condolences to all her family and friends. x

 

@SusieRainbow are you organising the collection for both flowers and a memorial? I'd like to contribute to both, go fund me or just giving is probably a nice way to do it if they don't charge too much as you can leave messages which her family could see, that would be a bit like a book of remembrance @Psygon

*Wonders if we can get a floral tribute in the shape of a cat. Or PF colours?*

 

This is just so, so sad. I'm sitting here in tears.

She was always so generous with her time and information on the forum, a true kind soul. I'm sure she'd appreciate donations to a charity in her memory.

 

I wonder if there’s a way we can produce an electronic version of a remembrance which can then be printed for her family? As a proper book?