Amanda New - Zoë Where to start... I can't believe it is only 7 and a half years since we first met Zoë and Kenton at our NCT classes awaiting the birth of our first babies. We hit it off straight away, giggling our way through the otherwise monotonous classes! It was great to meet a like-minded person with a great sense of fun when you are about to embark on the biggest adventure of your life! Ellen and Isabella were due on the same day and the best of friends from the outset and Zoë and I became equally close. We experienced so many firsts together with our girls, yet I never dreamed some would also be lasts. I have so many good memories of our times together; birthdays, fireworks, halloween parties, christmas parties, nights out, nights in, activities with the kids, starting pre-school, starting school, regular chats, cups of tea and fishfinger teas, having our second babies and countless more. I have been looking through my photos a lot in the last few days and considering the amount of time we have spent together over the years there are relatively few of Zoë. This is partly because Zoë was never particularly keen to have her photo taken and partly because you assume that the kids will do all the changing and when you believe you have met a friend for life, they will always be there. If only this were true... As we all know Zoë has shown incredible strength, hope and determination over the last 4 years as she waged war against cancer - characteristics which I have no doubt come from her parents and her girls already show. I am so glad that Zoë picked such a great dad for her children and has such an amazing family - all things which will stand the girls in good stead for the difficult journey ahead. I hope you all know that I will do all I can to support you both now and in the future, and of course Isabella will be there for her best friend too. Zoë - I will miss you so very much. Paula Collyer ‎"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same". I've been struggling with what to say and I've been reading these lovely memories and feel sad that I only knew you for 7 years. We met as we waddled into an antenatal class, and we just hit it off. Your dry wit, humour and general naughtiness (which also seems to be a theme in your schoolfriends' memories) drew me in and it was the start of a true friendship, cemented as Ellen & Joe became like an old married couple. We shared the trials and tribulations (and sleep-deprivation) of child-rearing. Then we partied, we danced, we belly-laughed (often at inappropriate things which others might not have found so funny), we rejoiced at the news you were expecting Carys, and then we cried at your diagnosis of 'the B'stard disease'. For four years you fought it, resolutely determined that you would beat it, as recently as Halloween when we all trudged down the road Trick or Treating in the pouring rain (your idea not mine you nutter). May you now be resting in peace my dear friend, finally pain-free, dancing on the tables in Heaven and being the hostess with the mostess you truly were. My brave, spunky, funny, truly inspirational friend. Your spirit (and your smile) will go on forever in your two gorgeous girls, and I will be by their side every step of the way on your behalf. No goodbyes Zoë, just until we meet again... PS. get the drinks in, and save me a seat. Love you miss you..... always. XX Tracey Hurley I met Zoë at school and remember her usually giggling and having fun. I was lucky enough to be invited to Zoë and Kenton's fantastic ceilidh wedding celebration and will always remember what a creative, fun and loving occasion it was, just like Zoë! The last time I saw Zoë properly was almost two years ago when she came to Redfields coffee shop with her lovely girls. Such sad news that Zoë has gone and so hard to comprehend. She will forever live on though in the hearts and minds of her family and friends. My thoughts are with you all. XxxX Heather Coombes I first met Zoë at playschool when we were about 4! and then again at St Nicks and although I hadn't seen Zoë for many years, it was with great sadness that I heard of her passing. It was Zoë's battle along with another 2 friends of mine (who also lost their battle with Cancer this year) that inspired me to run the Great South Run in aid of Cancer Research only a few weeks ago. The love of Zoë's family, especially her girls, obviously helped her during her brave battle and I am sure they are so proud of her for never giving up. Her death may now be final but her love and memories will be everlasting. May you now rest in peace Zoë xxx Tarn N Ryan Canning I met Zoë at St NIcks she was always laughing and in the middle of something! Usually winding up Mrs Bailey! Rest in Peace Zoë all our thoughts are with you and your family. Love Tarn xx Lisa Butcher I met Zoë at St Nicks when we were 11. Like Liz and Becky I have great memories of Zoë getting up to cheeky antics. She made our life at school such fun and I remember having lots of giggles with her in our art lessons, especially pottery. I was always envious of her creativity, something she really excelled at. Zoë looked beautiful at her wedding and what a fabulous day it was at such a stunning location. Zoë was so proud of becoming a Mother and the girls are very lucky to have had such a wonderful loving, caring, proud, creative, brave, generous Mother in their life. It is with great sadness that she can no longer be there for them but instead she will have taken great comfort knowing what a wonderful Father Kenton is and the support he will receive from her loving parents and brother. My thoughts are with you all. Liz Matravers I met Zoë when we were both 11 and we have remained friends ever since. Like Becky I remember with fondness her cheeky behaviour at school. One maths lesson she and Kate turned up late and were met with the cross face of a generally very grumpy maths teacher. I can’t remember exactly what was said but their story involved an amazing amount of imagination and fantasy to cover up what they had been doing and centred around meeting Santa and having to help him out! They managed to not only escape detention (which normally involved writing hymns out of the hymn book!) but achieved a smile and chuckle from the stoney faced teacher. Our friendship continued after school as college and university took us to different parts of the country. We shared birthdays, new houses, weddings and birth of children. I remember that call in January 2009 when she shared with me her devastating news. From that day until where we find ourselves now she never lost her goodness and ability to think of others. Zoë was a kind, gentle and selfless person. Even in recent weeks when things were so bad for her she would always ask “how are you?” “How are your boys” This is testament to just want a caring and giving person she was. We have had some amazing laughs over the years, something that continued right up to the last time I saw her. To Zoë nothing was more important than her family. Her girls were her life and she always put them first. I was there in 2003 when Kenton and Zoë married, a beautiful day and a beautiful bride. Kenton has been an amazing husband and father these last few years. Zoë also benefitted from a close family; her mum, dad and brother all such a big part of her life and it is to them, as well as Kenton and the girls that I send my thoughts and prayers to. Dave Wright Before writing here, I took it upon myself to look at your Facebook page to remind me of the Zoë I knew. Filled with photos of your family and close friends and especially your girls and Kenton. Just summed up what a wonderful mother and wife you were. I am proud to have known you and sad to hear how cruelly you have been taken from the many people who loved you so deeply. I didn't know you anywhere near as well as those who introduced you and Kenton to me and my family, but it still hurts to think you are gone. A very special angel who has been remarkably brave in the last few years is at peace now xxxx Bob Blasberg Although I only met Zoë a few times, I will always remember her for her Zest for life. She turned lemons into lemonade. She loved with a passion and left a legagy for her daughters to follow. Bob Blasberg Joanna Lucy Mitchell Zoë really was an inspiration to us all. She showed amazing strength and determination in the face of a devastating illness. Zoë was one of life's givers. In our antenatal group it was always Zoë who put on marvelous birthday and christmas parties with an abundance of food, toys, entertainment and laughter. Zoë enjoyed a party and was always an excellent hostess. We all met up every Monday with our new born babies until they started school and I have very fond memories of those times, especially the long summer picnics where we all sat around chatting as the children played. She was also very creative, making beautiful pictures to hang in children's bedrooms. Zoë adored her family and was clearly adored by her family too. It is a priviledge to have known Zoë. Kenton, Ellen, Carys and all the family our thoughts are with you at this desperately sad time. love Jo, Paul, Charlotte and James x Becky Eaton My beautiful, brave friend Zoë. I've known you for the best part of 30 years and it is hard for me to think that you are gone. We've shared so much laughter over that time - thanks for all the happy memories. I still remember the day when you and Kate were caught making some sort of mischief at school and yet it was not your names that got written down but that of 'Alice Smith' & 'Anne Jones'. Still makes me chuckle to this day. I'm going to miss you, my friend, but I'm sure my Dad's taking care of you now. Love to you and the ones you left behind. Becky xxx Nancy Blasberg Bob & I remember with fondness the times we spent with Zoë. Her smile was infectious and her spirit was a wonder. Oh how she loved Ellen and Carys. I know they will remember the love she shared with each of them. We are praying for you James, Kim, Jenny, Peter and Kenton. The grief you are feeling right now hurts badly. We love you all. Bob & Nancy Dawn Blasberg Shedden I never got to talk with Zoë for long, but her story is an inspiring one of love and dedication to what is important in life. May she be remembered as one who was brave and generous and a reminder to all of us of life's delicate blessings. Emma Barnes I know it's been a while since catching up, bad to think it was probably Jim’s and Kim’s wedding! I have been sitting here remembering nights that we had. You were always such fun and always ready for a bit of a party! It is so unfair that you have been taken from your family and I cannot even begin to think how they will cope without you. It's hard to think of the good times when this is such a sad time. Anyway, Dom and I have opened a bottle of fizz to celebrate your life and we are looking back to remember the good times spent together, even if they were a pretty long time ago! Claire Richmond We've not seen Zoë, Kenton and the girls for a while, but never stopped thinking of her and her brave battle. I'll always remember the fantastic NCT fireworks party we had at the Payne bungalow. The fireworks seemed never ending and how on earth we ever thought we'd get 6, under 5 months old, babies to all sleep in one room i'll never know!!! But i think they did eventually. James Clarke (brother) I will never forget you Zoë, or the wonderful memories and happy times we shared as children, adults and parents. Thank you for all your generosity and spirit and for helping us to come to terms with your impending loss through your own bravery and unwavering hope. It was only on Tuesday you said to me how you hoped to still be here for your birthday in April and your wedding anniversary in May. We will raise a glass to you on those days and every year hence and talk about the happy times we shared. Sleep tight my wonderful sister. Love always Bruv xx