Include a Charity Joy and Allens story
September 10, 2014
“He was the most extraordinary person, the love of my life, the joy in my life.”
Joy Barton, a wonderful supporter of the Stroke Foundation, talking about the husband she lost to stroke, before stroke took her own life the following year.
Joy lost her husband Allen to stroke in 2006. This tragic event happened following a series of “mini-strokes” that began in 2004.
Joy said she believed that research and awareness funded by the Stroke Foundation helped give her and Allen an additional two-and-a-half years together:
“The help of the Stroke Foundation was phenomenal. We got such a lot of support and information on diet, exercise; everything we needed to know about stroke.”
Joy’s words give me great pride in the work of the Stroke Foundation. I find it a comfort to know – and I’m sure you do too – that the Stroke Foundation was there for Joy and Allen in their time of need.
That kind of practical help and emotional comfort should be available to more – indeed all – Australians who survive a stroke, and to the loved ones who care for them.
Joy’s dream was to hold an 80th birthday party for her beloved Allen – which they were able to enjoy together. Allen died from another stroke exactly one month after that party. Joy always firmly believed that without the Stroke Foundation’s support, the couple would never have been able to celebrate that special day.
Joy chose to support the work of the Stroke Foundation in a number of ways. She was always happy to share her story in the hope it would inspire others. She was often so moved by stories about others who had suffered strokes, that she responded with generous donations.
Sadly, we lost a loving, caring and wonderfully compassionate woman when, in March 2012, the day after her 81st Birthday, Joy also died from a stroke.
Even now, after her passing away, I like to think Joy is still caring for stroke survivors and their loved ones. You see, one of her kindest acts of support before her death was to leave a gift to the Stroke Foundation in her Will. As she told my colleague before she passed away:
“I was more than happy to make a bequest to this valuable organisation in Allen’s memory.”
Thanks to her generous bequest, Joy’s support of our mission to stop stroke, save lives and end needless suffering continues. Her gift to her grandchildren may well be a world where the suffering of stroke is just a memory.
Joy Barton, a wonderful supporter of the Stroke Foundation, talking about the husband she lost to stroke, before stroke took her own life the following year.
Joy lost her husband Allen to stroke in 2006. This tragic event happened following a series of “mini-strokes” that began in 2004.
Joy said she believed that research and awareness funded by the Stroke Foundation helped give her and Allen an additional two-and-a-half years together:
“The help of the Stroke Foundation was phenomenal. We got such a lot of support and information on diet, exercise; everything we needed to know about stroke.”
Joy’s words give me great pride in the work of the Stroke Foundation. I find it a comfort to know – and I’m sure you do too – that the Stroke Foundation was there for Joy and Allen in their time of need.
That kind of practical help and emotional comfort should be available to more – indeed all – Australians who survive a stroke, and to the loved ones who care for them.
Joy’s dream was to hold an 80th birthday party for her beloved Allen – which they were able to enjoy together. Allen died from another stroke exactly one month after that party. Joy always firmly believed that without the Stroke Foundation’s support, the couple would never have been able to celebrate that special day.
Joy chose to support the work of the Stroke Foundation in a number of ways. She was always happy to share her story in the hope it would inspire others. She was often so moved by stories about others who had suffered strokes, that she responded with generous donations.
Sadly, we lost a loving, caring and wonderfully compassionate woman when, in March 2012, the day after her 81st Birthday, Joy also died from a stroke.
Even now, after her passing away, I like to think Joy is still caring for stroke survivors and their loved ones. You see, one of her kindest acts of support before her death was to leave a gift to the Stroke Foundation in her Will. As she told my colleague before she passed away:
“I was more than happy to make a bequest to this valuable organisation in Allen’s memory.”
Thanks to her generous bequest, Joy’s support of our mission to stop stroke, save lives and end needless suffering continues. Her gift to her grandchildren may well be a world where the suffering of stroke is just a memory.