I would like to say it was extremely sad that I never got to know Vanessa, as when we nursed Vanessa she was already very poorly, but I know she was an incredible woman because of the love that surrounded her from Simon, Alex, Amy and all her close friends, who I had the pleasure of meeting at a very difficult and sad time. We are always touched when someone is so very ill, especially when so young, and it makes us reflect on our own lives. Vanessa was my age and taken far too soon, but I know she will always surround those she loved and cared for with the strength to carry on and make her contribution to your lives a legacy you can always cherish. Heartfelt condolences to all the family and friends, but especially Simon, Alex and Amy, we will all remember the wonderful art work, photographs, music, flowers and aroma therapy that surrounded Vanessa, bringing her comfort and peace, Cindy and the team x

When the crying is done and their absence has grown familiar, not raw, we more clearly see the traces that they have left. Not the memories of places shared and quiet evenings, or the smell of hair and the sound of footfall. These are valuable enough. But more, they inhabit our dreams, our ways of thinking; ‘…what would she think of this…’ and ‘…what would she do…’. They are there in the way that we care for others, the way we think of this and that; our inherited sense of what should be, and what shouldn’t. For them to be here of course is what we want, but they have gone, like everyone must. Look for the traces, and look carefully, for these are the things that are their mark, on us that remain. Tim

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Vanessa Hurst. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.