“SHE was the only person I knew who would wear a sleep shirt with pearls on,” said Jackie Michel about her late mother, cancer survivor and activist, Carroll Michel (57), who died suddenly on Friday, 3 January.
Since her breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment in 2009, Carroll dedicated her life to teaching and making people aware of breast cancer.
She took part in shavathons, counselled cancer sufferers, held a stall at the sustainable living expo and launched as various awareness campaigns, urging women to conduct mammograms for early detection. Her message was hopeful, sharing with people that there is life after diagnosis.
On New Year’s Eve, she was rushed to hospital in severe pain. It was discovered her bones were brittle as a result of the radiation treatment. Due to the brittle bones, her vertebrae severed her spinal column, causing her lungs to stop working.
“She died peacefully. It was sudden, we’re still in shock,” said Jackie. The first three days were the worst. She died in hospital on Friday, 3 January and cremated on Monday, 6 January.
She is remembered for her kind heart, wisdom, her giving, cheerful spirit and her love of tea. “She’s touched the lives of many. She was always giving and thought of others before herself. My best memory of her is our early morning chats, I would drink juice and she would have tea,” said Angie.
She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Darryl and their two daughters, Angie and Jackie. “This was the first New Years we’ve spent apart because she was in hospital. I miss her smile the most and our cups of tea,” said Darryl.
Carroll was a nursing sister, a pottery teacher, a counsellor and a children’s evangelist. She authored an e-book titled ‘Carroll’s Story’ which was published online in October. Even though the family is devastated, they believe she is in a better place, enjoying a tea party in heaven.
The family invites everyone who knew her to her memorial service on Saturday, 18 January at Fynnland Baptist Church on the corner of Lighthouse Road and Tomich Drive. The service starts at 11am and the family kindly requests attendees to wear pink or pearls. The Michel family thanks everyone who has supported them during their hard time.
– mbalim@dbn.caxton.co.za
