[MilleD]

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.

 

[lullabydream]

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.

Oh definitely share the pm. I always saw through her posts it was small independent rescues her heart belonged.

It was actually those that were helpful to me on looking for a cat but none suitable and not enough in rescue, and my allergy a bit of a problem with Covid-19 and social distancing.

 

[Summercat]

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.

 

[SbanR]

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.

As I suspected, there's considerable support for a pen in her name so your information would be most welcome if a collection towards that idea comes about.

 

[H.M]

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.

 

[Guest]

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

 

[Paddypaws]

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.

 

[Psygon]

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.

View attachment 464817

Same for me. I can't believe she has gone. There were tears last night and every time I come back here and read everyone's tributes to her there are more tears.

So very very sad.

 

[vivien]

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

viv xx

 

[BarneyBobCat]

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

 

[urbantigers]

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.

 

[Psygon]

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

 

[Orla]

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

 

[Annealise]

I am so deeply saddened by this news! Stef as has repeatedly been said, is such a warm, kind, honest, lovely lady and my friend.

I will miss our chats of our favourite period of history and our shared love of classic music.

In my prayers x

I will play a piece from her beloved JS Bach in remembrance for a in incredibly kind lady who will be very much missed by so many.

Thank you so much for those kind words and the Bach piece. Hauser is very talented isn't he... I was listening to it whilst reading the comments. Stef would be so humbled by all the lovely tributes. Words can't express how sad I feel right now.

 

[Jackie C]

I'm shocked and upset by this terribly sad news. I didn't know she was so ill. Stef was one of the first people I "met" on the forum and helped with my lovely cat, Betty and the issues she had when we first rescued her. She was so friendly, so knowledgeable and so kind. She was such an important member of the forum, a true "VIP", she will be greatly missed. My condolences to her family, friends and loved ones.

[QUOTE="ewelsh, post: 1065752487, member: 1254737"

I will play a piece from her beloved JS Bach in remembrance for a in incredibly kind lady who will be very much missed by so many.

[/QUOTE]

Thank you for posting the Bach piece, I actually read the rest of the messages whilst it played, which was beautiful and fitting.

If able, it would be nice for the family if they were able to read all these kind messages that Stef has received and how she has helped so many people whom she never met.

I would also like to contribute to the pen, I know the Golden Oldies was a charity she supported, or wherever is appropriate. I have paypal.

RIP Stef.
Your legacy will last.

 

[Annealise]

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

 

[huckybuck]

I am utterly heartbroken.

So very very sorry my dear friend xx

 

[huckybuck]

@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.

 

[Charity]

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

 

[Willsee]

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