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'm very sorry to hear this news. Leslie was a great poster and I remember her for the Woolly Hugs threads.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Leslie/Christine this last while. I’ve enjoyed a lot of her MN contributions over the years, and like others I knew she was getting near the end, but it’s still a shock to read that she has died. I loved her slightly irreverent sense of humour, she never took things too seriously - even though she was often posting about her or other people’s serious illness. She was a remarkable young woman, so wise and sensible, as others have said an old head on young shoulders. Christine was much more my children’s generation than mine and I can’t begin to imagine how painful a loss this is for her mum and dad, and of course her sister, and everyone else who knew and loved her. Christine is absolutely one MN person I will never forget.

Dearest Leslie.. I miss you. You were incredibly kind and generous with your time to every single lacie that passed thru the threads. I think of you every day and hope that wherever you are there are rabbits and glittery shoes!!
This must be such a very tough time for your family and I very much hope that seeing how admired and loved you are gives them some comfort...
Xxxxx

Thanks for starting this thread

I lurked and saw that Leslie was clearly very sick and that she had a lot of dear friends on that thread

I am very sorry for her family and friends . I remember my own dear friend who said the pitfalls of cancer support threads is when this happens.

May she rest in peace

And all my prayers for those who grieve her

A very inspirational lady. RIP

I only came across Leslie very recently but from her posts I could see at once that here was an exceptional person, with great insight, compassion, wisdom and humour. I was amazed then to learn how young she was. It's clear she made a great mark on the world in the very short time she had in it and is hugely missed.

Love and condolences to her family and friends.

Oh my goodness. This has brought tears to my eyes. I had no idea. Months ago I was having tests and Leslie was so kind and patient to me. I got away with it that time but am now unwell and very cross about it.

What a sad loss. I'm so sorry for all her friends had family .

Oh I'm late to this, back on mn after a week away. So sorry to hear this news. Sending love to all who knew Leslie well xx

I've been staying away from the cancer threads in recent months (you really can have too much cancer, you know), so I only found out this evening that Leslie has died.

Everyone has said everything already, more eloquently than I could.

There wasn't really anything Lacie about her, was there? When I was diagnosed last year, she (and you other lacies) were so solid and grounding. No nonsense, just warm, intelligent and compassionate.

I'm crying for her, her family, and for us lacies, for our huge loss.

Hello everyone
I've received details of Christine's funeral, which will be on 3rd May in Berkshire. If you would like more details please PM me.

I will be going.

Thanks TQ
I will certainly be there in spirit but sadly not able to make it in person.
Did Christine leave any instructions re flowers? Or donations to any particular charity?
I would like to contribute if possible.

Hi wine, yes she did:

"The family will organise flowers for her coffin. No other flowers please. Donations, if you wish, will go to Shine Cancer Support, who have supported Christine over the last few years; and Thames Hospice, who supported Christine in her last few months at home."

Pistey here. I’ll be going too. Thank you so much for the details lovely TQ xxx

TQ Thank you for letting us know 🌷

Unfortunately I won’t be able to be there, but it would be nice to know what time the service is starting so I can join you in spirit.

Do you know if there is/is going to be anything set up to donate collectively ‘in her name’ or should we just donate individually to Christine? (TVH has a ‘in the name of’ space on the form, but at other times/hospices we have been able to donate collectively). Sorry, hope that’s not too confusing.

TQ & Pistey. Please give her parents & sister big hugs from all of us who can’t be there. They’d need to hold it at a stadium if all of us who wanted to be there could, I hope they know how much she is loved & missed by so many of us here xx

Hi Chipping
The service will start at 12.15pm

I don't think a collective donation is necessary tbh - and a bit difficult to coordinate. People can choose to donate - if they want to - to Shine, the hospice, and also to Woolly Hugs.

We will certainly pass on hugs and wishes. I will be wearing my name badge that Leslie made for me for the Hugathon last year.

TQ. Thank you. I’ll be there in spirit.

Your name badge is fabulous, I’m glad you’re wearing it 😊 (What a lovely thing to have x)

Sorry, I didn’t mean to collect the money from everyone here then donate it, I just meant some hospices etc have a way of grouping together the donations then sending a card to the family and I wondered if that had been set up by her family. But no matter I’ll just donate to them ‘in her name’. 🌷

Oh no! I've only just seen this. She was amazing; utterly selfless and giving to everyone else who needed advice or a hand hold - and all this in the face of her own diagnosis at such a young age. She seemed older and wiser beyond her years. When I was first diagnosed in 2015, it was Leslie's (and Lilymaid's) kind and wise words that helped to get me through. We will all miss her.

Mumsnet just isn’t the same without Leslie. I haven’t wanted to log on much knowing she isn’t here.

Will be thinking of you on Friday TQ and of course Chrissi’s family.

Leslie, I'm so sorry I missed your last weeks and never got to tell you how much you helped me. Rest in peace, you gentlest of souls. xxx

TQ & Pistey - will be thinking of you all tomorrow

Thank you so much xxxxx

I have a pink dress to wear, verging on magenta but pink enough for her I hope

I have just bought some gold metallic trainers - Leslie liked showing off her shoes in chemo sessions

Oh my word, so perfect TQ xxxx