Grieving family of tragic Natalie say thanks to all (From Dorset Echo)

Grieving family of tragic Natalie say thanks to all

11:10am Friday 10th July 2009

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THE grieving family of Natalie Turner, who died tragically following a 72-hour illness, has thanked everyone who rallied around in support.

Her father Rob Turner, of Frampton, near Dorchester, has praised all those involved in caring for Natalie during her short time in hospital, those who assisted through the family’s grief and last week’s service to celebrate her life.

Mr Turner said staff at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester showed ‘extreme kindness’ while his daughter was in the Intensive Care Unit.

He also commended the Rev Richard Betts of St George’s Church, Fordington, and Woods Funeral Service in Dorchester for creating a ‘first-class’ thanksgiving service in honour of Natalie’s life.

Friends and family who sent cards were thanked for their support ‘at such a bad time’ and the Dorset Echo was praised for its sensitivity.

Natalie’s mother Maria Damon said: “I would like to say thank you to my son Stuart for organising the funeral and picking the poem, Pauline Guy, the funeral director at Woods, who helped with the words and the Rev Richard Betts.

“I would also like to thank Natalie’s boyfriend Ricki Churchill who picked two of the songs.

“The first song played at the funeral, Stay With Me by DJ Ironic was special to Natalie and her son Rio.

“Natalie will be sadly missed but I expect she is dancing in heaven.

“She will never be forgotten.”

Mum-of-one Natalie, aged 24, of Weymouth was admitted into hospital on Wednesday, June 16, complaining of a headache but her condition deteriorated rapidly.

Her devastated family, who were initially told the cause could be meningitis, made the heart-breaking decision to turn off the life-support machine the following Saturday, June 20.

A postmortem showed up a brain infarction – when blood supply is cut off causing tissue to die – but what caused that is not known so the death is being treated as ‘natural causes.’ Last Thursday, hundreds of people attended a service of thanksgiving at St George’s Church to celebrate the young life.

They continued Natalie’s send-off at the Victoria Hotel in Dorchester.

Mr Turner and his wife April said: “A big thank-you to the Intensive Care Unit at Dorset County Hospital for Natalie Turner’s care, especially Mel for her extreme kindness.

“To Woods for the first-class funeral and the Rev Richard Betts for the service.

“All the friends and family who sent cards of support at such a bad time.

“Emma, Rick and staff at the Victoria Hotel for a lovely celebration of Natalie’s life and all the family and friends who gave her a send-off she would have been proud of, being the party animal she was.”

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