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

So sorry to read this news. I lurked on the threads after a scare, and found the warmth and support truly humbling. I hope Christine had a gentle passing. 💐

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Leslie I have seen how caring she was to everyone on the lacies threads. Deepest sympathy to her parents, sister and families. You had a wonderful daughter / sister.

I only encountered Leslie recently on a thread a month or so ago.

I was surprised to find how young she was - her wisdom, grace and maturity were of the abundance of someone I'd assumed to be much older.

My condolences to her parents, sister and all the Lacies .

RIP Christine

RIP lovely Christine. The world would be a better place if there were more like you in it. We miss your wise words xxx

I’m so sorry to read this. Leslie/Christine was very special. Her calmness was so reassuring and she had seemingly limitless reserves of compassion, which is amazing considering what she had to deal with. She was also wise, humorous, candid and down to earth. My condolences to Christine’s family (who also sound wonderful). I wish I could have met her in real life.

I've never met Leslie (Christine) IRL but whenever I read any of her posts I can hear her speaking in a calming voice. She had a wicked sense of humour, wisdom beyond her years, a calm caring soul & was there to listen to anyone who needed a hand hold. I bet she is up there now organising a tea party with lots of cheese & cake, arranging meet ups & offering a kindly ear to anyone who needs it. I hope her family will be ok & want to thank them for lending Leslie to everyone who came to know her through Mumsnet. She will be missed xxxxx

I’m so sad to find out this news tonight, although we all knew it was coming. Leslie was quite unique and helped so many of us when we were terrified and needed to turn to someone other than our families. What’s even more remarkable is that she gave hope and comfort knowing that she herself was facing what we all fear. Thank you for your immense kindness.

To Christines parents and sister my condolences, I am so sorry you have lost such a beautiful person far too young

I think if you can shine so bright in a forum like this and make such a difference to so many people at the very worst moments you are a truly remarkable person. Leslie RIP sweet sweet girl

I am so sad that our mama elephant (Leslie had an uncanny knack of remembering/ keeping track of the Lacies) has gained her wings. Thank you for your strength, kindness, sense of humour and indomitable will. Shine bright like the diamond you were. Xxx

Lovely words TQ. Like many others on here i knew Leslie through the lacies threads where her sage advice and friendly ear helped me through my cancer diagnosis and treatment. I was always amazed that, despite all her own health issues, she managed to remember what was going on with everyone else's illness. Hoping she is at peace now with lots of bunnies and cheese (sorry I can't manage anything as wonderfully poetic as ivampire's lacies comment but hear hear to that). .

This is such sad news, I only knew Leslie through posting on Woolly Hugs and she was always so lovely. Her username always stood out to me as I love Parks and Rec.

Rest in peace sweet lady.

Rest in peace lovely lady, your kind words to me at a time when I had just been diagnosed will never be forgotten. You’re so loved and I hope your family and friends can take comfort in how much love there is for you. We will miss you terribly X

I have lurked and been in awe of this woman's quiet dignity and humour.
Much love to all of her friends on MN and her family.

I am so sorry to hear of Leslie’s passing. The Lacies were wonderful to me when I had BC and Christine particularly.

How she remembered what everyone else was going through was simply amazing and she will be much missed.

I’m learning that Christine did so much for others, fundraising, blogging, raising awareness, supporting others on other forums. I admire her so much and she has really had a huge impact on my perspective on life and death, even though I never met her irl. She will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace lovely Christine. It's bitter-sweet to see so many old timers on this thread. I joined these threads over 5 years ago and even then Leslie was quietly here, dispensing her own brand of wisdom, sense and humour. She was always kind and calming and rarely did I see her rage against the crap hand she had been dealt.
I know she taught us all a lot about how to live, but also how to die.
She will never be forgotten.

Ah RubyRedShoes( I like to think of you in terms of rubies ,so warm and bright and shining ) I guess we should think of your release and not be so sad for ourselves .

I wish I could give her Dad ,Mum and sister a big hug . But I'm thinking of you now as I've done so many times in the last 6 years .

TQ thanks for doing all this and keeping us updated .

Thoughts also with fellow travellers of Chrissie who are the end of treatments ,much love to you .This must be an especially painful thread to read .

I didn't know this lady but she sounds fab. Rip x

Although these people in here are relative strangers, we share our fears, hopes and life plans openly.
My affair with the BIG C was easier to deal with because of Christine and many others because they knew how I was feeling.
Leslie sweet lady, rest in eternal peace 💐

I'm so sad to hear of Christine's passing.
I only lurked but her selflessness, and thoughtfulness towards others, her courage and dignity that she dealt with everything thrown at her truly shone through.
Sending big hugs to all Christine's wonderful mum, dad and sister.
RIP to a truly lovely lady. I hope she is at peace now

I was just scrolling through Facebook and came across a lovely tribute to Christine on the SHINE cancer group wall. I had no idea that she and her lovely Mum did lots of fundraising for SHINE. I am even more in awe at how wonderful Leslie was 💔

Thoughts are with Christine her family, friends and all the Lacies. I spend many a night reading the support threads while my mam underwent treatment and was blown away by the kindness and support I saw.

I am very saddened to hear of Leslie's passing. Ive lurked on the cancer boards and her wit and warmth shone through. RIP Leslie

Rip Leslie/Christine , you were a very special person and I am very sad to hear this news , thinking of your family at this time a lovely kind and thoughtful person who will be sadly missed

I've been racking my brains since I heard the news trying to articulate just what Chrissy meant to me but there's no words to explain how much she's helped me over the last 18 months since I was diagnosed and even more so since I found out I only have months to live

From sending each other cards, biscuits, crochet kits and other bits and bobs to private messaging me to check how I'm doing, she really was one in a million and without her and the other lacies I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through this

Her humour, warmth and words wise beyond her years shone out and although I know she didn't really believe in the afterlife or any of that I do, so I hope when my time comes I like to think I'll finally meet her and we'll be comparing sparkly shoes and eating cheese!

If Chrissys parents do read this thread you must be bursting with pride with what a difference your amazing daughter made to so many people over the years

RIP darling, gone but never ever forgotten