Remembering WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo

[TwitterQueen1]

This is a thread in remembrance of Leslie, who IRL was called Christine and who sadly died, peacefully, in her sleep, in the morning of 6th April. It’s a place for everyone to share their thoughts, memories and feelings about a lovely, inspirational woman who gave unstinting support to those with cancer. Most of us will know Leslie from the Cancer Support threads (latest one here) she led for years, offering many handholds, much reassurance and unending support, especially when newbies joined. Leslie was always kind, always gentle, always encouraging, pulling together random, disparate strangers into a loving, supportive network.

Leslie asked me to let everyone on MN know when she died. I am under instruction “not to write anything gushy or naff or say I "lost my battle"!” So no talk of soldiers, battles won, lost, fought etc. Let’s celebrate her life, short though it was, be glad that we knew her and grab laughs and loves when and where we can.

Leslie was:
• Only 28, diagnosed at 21 with (a genetic) colon cancer.
• A lifelong veggie with a HUGE love of cheese. Cake was pretty important too. Oh, and pizza. And ice cream.
• Blessed with a loving family; mum, dad and sister, plus a large network of relatives and friends. Plus 2 flippin’ big bunnies called Marigold and Juniper.
• A hooker – otherwise known as a knitter of blankets, hugs, scarves etc. She not only contributed to the lovely Woolly Hugs group here on MN but also recommended ladies with cancer for their very own Woolly Hug.
• A glitzy, glam shoe aficionado who saved her best pairs for the chemo ward
• For those curious about her user name, Leslie Knope is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation.

I asked Christine about how we might remember her. She had no suggestions other than perhaps donating to Woolly Hugs if people want to. I am happy to coordinate this.

Christine, you were a true friend to me, bringing me into the cancer support group and being my cheerleader as well as everyone else’s. You are much loved and will be so very missed. Rest in peace xx

I NC quite a lot and knew Christine well under another username.

I'm also a huge Leslie Knope fan

I'm very very sorry to hear this

if you can hear me Christine, thank you, you know what for, no one else needs to.

Xx

I’m so deeply sorry to see this

I dipped into your cancer support threads when I had a scare last year. You ladies had such a great rapport together... and such a great outlook on things.

Rest in peace Christine xx far too young to have gone through this

RIP Christine / Leslie. You can now be the person you always wanted to be. Fly free.

I'm so sad to hear this - she was always so inclusive and kind. She seemed like such a good woman.
I'm sorry for all those of you who were close to her - this must be incredibly hard for you.

She was a wonderful young woman who helped so many.

Christine was an absolute star. She and I corresponded at length and with much laughter when my DH had cancer. She allowed me to rant at the grottiness of everything and the bonkers attitudes I encountered along the way. She understood. She understood it all from my point of view, that of a carer.

And she sent me random socks as a laugh.

The world is a lesser place without her and I send love now to her amazing family.

This is such sad news. Leslie was so kind to me after my diagnosis and answered all of my questions so patiently

I hope Leslie/Christine’s family will find comfort in the knowledge that she was so loved by so many.

I continued to read the threads long after my scare, and was so shocked when I found out Leslie’s age.
She was so wise and selfless

Rest in Peace lovely lady

Fly High Beautiful Kind Soul RIP xx

sat here in tears remembering her kind words. a wonderful lady taken before her time xx

Remembering leslie with great respect and affection.

I posted last year in a total state about my screening tests (under a different nn) and she was so kind, patient and lovely.

(As are all on the lacies thread)

I will be holding her and her family in my thoughts.

I'm honoured to be a lacie. Christine was a voice of reason on my cancer journey while knowing that her prognosis was so rubbish. She's helped an indefinite number of people with all her wisdom and I love knowing that I shared a love of cheese and animals with her!
It probably isn't much comfort at the moment, but it was apparent how much she loved her family and friends in her posts.

A beautiful soul who was wise beyond her years.
Sincere condolences to all who loved her.

Leslie had such an impact on so many people that I feel this quote from Sir Terry Pratchett says it all 💕💕

Rest in peace lovely lady, fly high with the angels 💐💐💐

Oh no, how sad.I know it was expected but it's still news none of us wanted to hear.

Fly high Christine, you will be sorely missed by so many Lacies.

leslie would try, constantly, to get me to understand the concept of "sharing" and that cake left longer than a minute wouldn't go off. Once she tricked me into losing the ninja thread by filling pages with cake she knew I'd have to eat before posting!

So I promise to never learn about sharing.
Never leave cake long to go off, even though insisted it wouldn't and won't forgive her for tricking me out of my win.

She knew how I felt!!

twitterqueen Thankyou for this thread.

What an extraordinary person Leslie/Christine was.
Sending heartfelt condolences to her parents and sister.
Thank you for the post TQ and thinking of the lacies.
💔

So sorry to hear this very sad news.

My thoughts are with Christines family at this time.

RIP Beautiful Lacie x

Such sad news. I've followed Leslie - Christine- for months on the cancer support thread.
She truly was an amazing, beautiful soul. Her advice and sense of humour while she must have been suffering herself is remarkable.
The world has lost an angel.

Rest in peace, lovely Christine. My thoughts are with your family

Oh Christine, I am so sorry we have lost you. A friend to so many at the darkest and most frightening of times, and always happy to offer advice and support even when she was so poorly herself. Cheese supporter, shoe lover and a lovely smile we will miss. x x x

I am so sorry to read this.

Like others, you have been in my thoughts everyday. I have been so in awe of your courage and the generosity you showed to others despite what you were going through yourself.

I am so sorry to your lovely family for their loss.

I will remember you always

TQ I am sad to read this news, however much it was expected. I hope Leslie knows how loved she is by everyone who has had occasion to read the Lacies threads. She offered support, honesty, time and real care to others and always made us smile. She will be very much missed. Love to her family x

I came on this thread,not for myself but when my dearest dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Leslie and all the Lacies were so wonderfully kind and encouraging. I was in awe of Leslie's stoism and knowledge and was so shocked to find out her age. My lovely dad passed away 18 months ago, Leslie passed away on his birthday💔
My heart goes out to Leslie's family, they must be truly heartbroken. This has made me so sad.......
Thankyou Christine, RIP