Page 51 - The Old Ratcliffian 2012

The Old Ratclifan 2012 | IntroductionThe Old Ratclifan 2012 | Obituaries had the privilege of caring for Carol to spend some of our time following The Reflection: for a week on pilgrimage in Lourdes, her brave example.” The nicest place to be is in someone’s a true honour, to spend time with thoughts. one of life’s very best. Without doubt, Carol’s funeral took place in the Carol lived life as one of her favourite School Chapel, at the request of The safest place to be is in someone’s hymns tells us: ‘Make me a channel of Carol and her family, on Thursday prayers. your peace.’ Her beautiful smile and 1st November 2012, coinciding most And the best place to be is in God’s infectious laugh will remain with me fittingly with All Saints’ Day, for above hands. forever.” all else, Carol was truly extraordinary in the manner in which she bore her These sentiments were echoed by yet illness, right through to her last day. another dear friend and colleague, The Requiem Mass was exceptionally Title (a rather long-winded title, by Mrs Penny Smith: “Over the past few beautiful, concelebrated by Fathers necessity, and definitely by way of years Carol became one of my closest Keith Tomlinson (52), Ted Mullen a confession on my part!): friends, both inside and outside (60) and Simon Giles (60), with Two years to spell correctilly of school. Her positive outlook on uplifting readings and music followed A name as weird as Gerighty; life was inspiring and, even when by a reception at which special You’re not getting off now so lightilly, seriously ill herself, she still had memories were shared. We would like Our dear Madame Gerighty. time to listen to others who were to take this opportunity to thank the experiencing problems. On my regular countless staff, governors, parents, Dear Madame Gerighty, visits to see Carol, I was always students and Old Ratcliffians, on You’ve become our very own celebrity: amazed to see her so cheerful and behalf of the Gerighty family, for your accepting of her life. Her faith and tremendous support of them during A lady of such sobriety (putting aside family helped her cope remarkably her illness. Our deepest condolences, the copious vin of notoriety!) and her sure belief in the afterlife with thoughts and prayers are extended to With a heart of magnanimity. God allowed her to ‘bear her cross’ Carol’s husband, Mike, and their two with the utmost dignity. Her family children, Katie (11) and Joe (currently were enormously precious to her but Year 12), together with all members Your beauty represents totality. so, too, were her friends, of which she of their family and close friends. Carol Your every word carries such integrity. had many. Carol’s interest in others touched the lives of all who knew made her the obvious person in which her, and inspired all of us at Ratcliffe You inspire us with your humility, to confide and there were many times, College in the last two years of her Along with humour that recognises in the staff room, when ‘the girls’ life in ways that are impossible to absurdity – as well as occasional would be huddled together chatting put into words. She will be lovingly profanity! about anything and everything. Our remembered by us all for many years regular evenings out were punctuated to come. with laughter, happiness and a sense When the time came for us to say You welcome all with a universality, of hope, which again, gives testament farewell to Carol as a Staff Common Leading PSHCE with dexterity, to Carol’s strength of character and Room, I had recently read a lovely her faith in God. Carol lived every little reflection that inspired me to Inspiring tennis and netball with moment to the full, spending time write a poem for Carol, in time- alacrity, with her family and friends, creating honoured Ratcliffian fashion, not least Et le Français avec profondité. memories and delight so that those because I have never been able to get of us who are left behind can only to grips with spelling correctly Carol’s wonder, ‘How did she do it?’ and try Be assured with absolute certainty, surname! That Mike will be cared for with sincerity, That Kate will be cared for with generosity, And Joe with jocularity! Dear Madame Gerighty, We shall miss your smile of serenity, And shall cherish our memories with gaiety. In friendship we shall remain for eternity. Gareth Lloyd ‘Carol’s Runners’ at the Hinckley Half Marathon in May Headmaster 51 Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk 51 Register o