Goodbye my friend

Claudia above in deep conversation with Chuck my hubby in our garden.


Thursday last week I lost my buddy, a good friend for about 10 years, and a wonderful human being. She had not been too well and suffered from heart disease that was diagnosed 2 years ago. She was a determined lady who never complained. She left in October to visit her family and friends in the USA where she had fallen ill and had to be hospitalized. I spoke to her twice and on each occasion as ill as she was, she wanted to know how I was doing . She told me that her hubby Floyd turned seventy and I said that we will celebrate when she came home. She said that she can't wait to come home to celebrate and harass my hubby Chuck.

On Friday I went by "Shifting sands" her house where she and hubby Floyd lived, and I mowed the lawn. I wanted to be close to her, feel her spirit and her presence. I

caressed her cat patches and told him that his mummy was not coming
back. Claudia had touched many lives and was loved by so many. Her
easy going and generous spirit made her an easy target to love.
Richard and Jenny her friends from the UK stopped by when they saw me at "Shifting sands". As we
walked around her garden, tears welled up in Jenny's eyes as we were
speaking about her. My eyes welled up too, and I felt good that I had
mowed her lawn.




Too many times I would drop by unannounced, she and Floyd would
welcome me and we would sit at the back patio and chat. Once when I was going
through a difficult and frightening time with my husband who was ill
and was away in the USA getting medical treatment, Claudia would call me up to
check in on me. One weekend she called and told me not to cook she was
bringing some food. Not only did she bring the food , she brought the
drinks, dessert and even the glasses as well as some friends. I was
moved by this, no one had ever done this for me I told her. Now how
many friends would have gone out of their way to do something like
that? Claudia would!
Claudia at my house where we would often meet for a meal and enjoy a social get together.


Claudia was from Boston in the United States and came to live in Barbados 23 years ago. She loved her garden, her cats lovey and patches, the beach and the multitude of
friends she had collected over the years living in Barbados. Yet she
made each of us feel that we were her best friend. Claudia managed her
friends well, giving each of them the attention they sought yet still
having time for everyone.
Jenny Claudia and Diana her beach buddies

We are all trying to come to grips that she has gone and it is very
difficult to accept. Claudia has left a big void in our lives and
hearts that we can never fill. Claudia was a rare and beautiful
flower who would give the shirt off her back to you. A fantastic cook
and fabulous baker. Every Christmas she would bake a present for my husband Chuck
and would send little goodies for him whenever she baked.
All we have now are memories of how this great woman touched our
lives, these memories would live on forever in our hearts.


My profound condolences to her husband Floyd and her sisters in the USA and her many friends who loved her dearly.
Floyd do not be surprised if you see me sitting in your back patio! I
am keeping Claudia's company and watching over her garden!