So very sad to report that Hilary died last night, just after 8.00pm. Mike had been in the hospital with her shortly before she passed on and the family, her children, have all arrived - relieved that he has them around at this awful time.
She had been ill for so long that her death is a shock. Mike has been devotedly caring for her all these last painful years... She and Mike came to each other somewhat late in life, out of other relationships. It was a real love affair. Hilary called him 'my man' and she meant it, he was the love of her life.
Before her illness she was into everything, an attentive and thoughtful woman. She knew when people needed cheering up, she knew who to get round and feed (excellent cook!) she really enjoyed the gentle gossip of village life. She was a practical and grounded woman, having run a maison de retrait in her professional life. She was Dutch by birth and French by her first marriage, so linguistically amazing :)
As she withdrew further into her illness, she was less engaged - but still managed the odd sortie, as the lunch with the Matthews not so long ago proved; she came in a wheel chair wired to an oxygen tank and still managed to engage, though alas, not for long. Fatigue was an issue as well as her other problems. Both she and Mike fought the cancer long and hard, heroically.
Cremation info will follow, as and when. Much love to Mike and the family. Remember the good times.
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