COASTAL NEWS ...

FAREWELL DEAREST CRO ...

Much-loved County Councillor Caroline ‘Cro’ Page, who passed away in July, revealed in an emotional resignation letter how the love of local residents kept her going in her battle against cancer. Sadly, the letter didn’t get delivered in time as she passed away on 5th July. Her family and friends asked LivingIn… to print this abridged version, written by Caroline from her bed …

Caroline’s husband, Cllr Patrick Gillard (pictured below with Caroline), said the outpouring of love shown to her from fellow residents has been a huge source of comfort for him and the family during this sad time.

“So many people said they found her really inspirational - some even changed their whole attitude to life, based on how she dealt with things generally”, he says. “She had this gusto for life, she wanted to change things and stand up to the forces who wanted to keep things the same; she was an example that you don’t have to accept things as they are. She made a big difference. She was a force of character who encouraged people to work together, which is what’s happening in the town council now with the coalition, thanks to her. She really wanted to see other people carry on her good work”.

Dear friend,

I want to tell you that I am - very regretfully - resigning as your County Councillor, as of 7th August.

For the last 15 years I have been honoured by the trust that the people of Woodbridge have put in me - both you who approve of me, and you who do not!

And, for 15 years, since Sept 2008 you have continued to elect me to represent you as your County Councillor and to trust me to fight your individual and joint concerns in the town I love and am so proud of.

You may know that for much of the last year I have been working for you from bed because I have terminal lung cancer.

However, I have recently been told the cancer has spread to my brain. Sadly, your once-active councillor cannot walk, cycle to shop in town, or write or attend meetings or even get on the bus or go to the library.

My unbroken decade of monthly surgeries were cancelled because of the pandemic. It seems that with that, all the means we had of talking face-to-face, of discovering the real problems in the town and trying to tackle them, have disappeared.

I feel I am unable to help as I used to - and that you deserve more.

I am humbled, and truly grateful for the number of kind words I have been sent through the year from people (many beginning ‘ ‘you won’t know my name but we chatted at...’).

It means a great deal that people remember actual things I have done and tell me about them. Each word truly kept me alive through the last bleak winter! So, thank you - to every one of you.

Yours sincerely,

Patrick said he first met Caroline in the King’s Head pub in Woodbridge back in 1999 and was struck by her energy and joy for life - something which stayed with her until the very end.

“Her brother died at a young age, so she always understood that this wasn’t a rehearsal to live your life and that you shouldn’t turn things down”, he says. “We had a great adventure. I wouldn’t change it for the world”.

Caroline was elected to Suffolk County Council in 2008 and had held many positions, including being the spokesperson for Women, Disabilities and Adult Care, Highways and Transport and Deputy Leader for the Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent Group.

She had been vice-chair of the Education Transport Appeals Committee since 2010.

* Patrick and the family want people to know that there will be a celebration of life at 12.30pm on 30th August at Whisstocks in Woodbridge, “opposite the river she so loved”. Her favourite Rabble Chorus will be performing at the service, which is open to all. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to Kiva.org, an organisation Caroline passionately supported.