Goodbye Maggie (From Penarth Times)

Goodbye Maggie

TRIBUTES have been paid to a Penarth woman who was a leading figure in establishing the WAY (Widowed and Young) Foundation - a national charity organisation that helps young people through the trauma of bereavement.

Maggie Cripps, 53, of Cosmeston Drive, lost her life on August 25 after a long battle with an illness just one month after she was honoured at a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace for her work with WAY.

Set up in 1996, the WAY Foundation provides a self-help social and support network for men and women widowed under the age of 50 and their children.

The main aim is to help those widowed young to rebuild their lives by helping one another.

Caroline Sarll, who co-founded WAY with Maggie Cripps, said: "Those who cherished Maggie - Andy, her son Alan, her daughter Helen, her mum and all of her family and many friends, many made through the WAY Foundation - will have their own unique memories of her. I will remember her hearty laugh, her wicked sense of humour, her down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach to life, her practicality and positive outlook and, of course, her total commitment.

"In the last year, I will remember her courage, her realistic assessment of what was happening to her and her constant battle to overcome her illness. "Without her tireless work, I am convinced that the vision I had all those years ago would not have grown into the very solid organisation it is today. There are currently around 1,100 members of the WAY Foundation and in the last seven years, thousands of widowed men, women and their children have been helped. What a difference you have made, Maggie. Thank you."

There are approximately 24,000 widowed men and women in England and Wales under the age of 40. Under 50, the figure rises dramatically to approximately 110,000.

For details on the WAY foundation call 0870 011 3450 or visit www.way foundation.org.uk