25th November, 2016
It is with huge regret that we announce the passing of one of our trustees, Carrie Morgan.
Carrie died in Harrogate after a short and sudden illness. She’d been visiting her family when she was taken ill.
Her tremendous emotional intelligence and empathy, her bright energy and deep compassion made her a much-valued Sharpham trustee. She brought to the board a knowledge and authority on mental health and social care matters.
With a background in health service management and planning, social work, community development and practice teaching, she also had experience of the voluntary sector. Her later work was around organisational and personal development, and she was also an executive coach and leadership mentor.
Carrie grew up near the sea and countryside in Wales and Cornwall, gaining a keen sense of the beauty - and frailty - of the environment. She told us that she was inspired by the endeavours of the Sharpham Trust.
Earlier this year, she’d designed and run a workshop for staff to improve dementia understanding.
She loved horse riding, canoeing and walking and (in her words) was “interested in progressing ideas and projects which make the joys of being with nature accessible to those who can benefit”.
Carrie’s clarity of thought, her kindness and her bright being will be missed sorely by her Sharpham family. We’re so grateful and proud that she was a Trustee and for her dedicated involvement with all of us.
Her wish was that she’d be buried at Sharpham Meadow Natural Burial Ground, and just a few months ago she and our Chairman William Lana walked there, to choose a plot. She will be there quicker than all of us thought, but it will be an appropriate place for such a beautiful soul.
Trust Chairman William Lana said: "Carrie was a friend and an inspiration. She was always happy to engage with the world and discuss anything under the sun; we often talked about Spain, cooking, and alternative organisational models (one of her many specialist subjects). She enjoyed using her knowledge and wisdom, and indeed saw it as one of her missions to link up those in need, with services & people who might be able to respond to that need."
"She never missed an opportunity to help and was generous with her time as well as her spirit. Carrie, with love and gratitude - thank you for all you shared and gave."
Trust Director Julian Carnell said: "Everyone involved with Sharpham feels today a sense of shock and sadness with the passing of Carrie who for many years has been someone we could turn to for support and wisdom. Ever-willing to give of her time and passionate about making our programmes accessible for all, she exemplified what Sharpham is all about."
She was loved and will be sorely missed - but not forgotten. Thank-you, Carrie."