A Parents Tribute to Zoe Marie

Zoe’s name means life, and as those of you who knew her well will know, she certainly had life in abundance.

Zoe was born on Sunday 1^st April 1990 at 23:23 hrs, weighing in at 8lb 8oz, and by our reckoning a few weeks late, and then lived life at full speed ever since as if to make up for her late arrival. She started walking at 9 ½ months and started talking just before her first birthday and never stopped after that.

Zoe was always full of fun, energetic and forever smiling, especially when there was a camera about. She started to read at 3 ½ and never stopped, you would often find her with her nose in a book, earphones in listening to music. She had a love for learning and had a brain like a sponge, often soaking up all kinds of information, some of which was quite bizarre and completely useless. If they gave qualifications for Bizarre trivia she would have certainly passed with flying colours.

Zoe had a tough time growing up, at age 5 she was diagnosed with Scoliosis, she had developed a curvature of the spine which required immediate treatment. She spent the next 7 years in and out of Frimley Park hospital, having many plaster cast body braces fitted to try and help correct the curve and finally underwent two lengthy surgeries to place titanium pins down her spine at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital

In Loving Memory of Zoe Marie Stone

1st April 1990 - 17th March 2009

One of Zoe’s greatest loves were her pets, she certainly had a few over the years. Following on from her first pet a Budgie called Blue she went on to care for 3 Goldfish (names I can’t recall) 3 Mice (Rosie, Bramble and Shadow) 4 Syrian Hamsters (Tarragon, Honey, Sinbad and Toby) 4 Dwarf Hamsters (Magic, Charm, Scratch and Scrabble) and 3 cats (Charlie, Maisie and Smudge) She looked after all of her pets, quite a menagerie over the years with loving care and couldn’t bear to see any animal in pain.

At age 14 Zoe took a strong interest in Christianity, joining the impact group organised by Hook Evangelical Church and her passion for life and her circle of friends grew bigger every day. Family and friends were very important to Zoe and she was greatly loved by all. You would often find her round at my dads, cooking dinner and ordering her Grandad out of his kitchen, or lending a sympathetic ear to other peoples problems.

If Zoe wanted anything in life she would always work hard to get it, this was especially true regarding her education. Despite falling behind with her school work after losing many days schooling through her Scoliosis, she worked hard to catch up and achieved all the necessary exams results she needed to secure her place at Canterbury University to study History. She quickly settled into life at University, enjoying her coursework, her independence and evidently from all the photo’s she posted on Facebook making lots of new friends and having a good time.

Zoe truly was an amazing daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece and cousin. She showed courage and determination throughout her life and it didn’t falter one bit when she was diagnosed with Leukaemia. She just sat in her hospital bed, completely non-plussed and trusted in her faith and took it all in her stride. If she had any fear of the unknown she certainly didn’t show it, she met her final days with a smile on her face and love in her heart.

We will miss Zoe dearly but always remember the good times we had together. The first time she walked, the first time she talked, the cheeky smile on her face, the day she got a chip stuck up her nose and her enthusiasm for life. I for one will always remember the immense pride I felt when I left her in Canterbury last September, embarking on her new life with so much promise ahead of her. We will always be proud of Zoe, for all she aspired to be and everything she achieved.

in Stanmore. During this time she over come many challenges, her extreme fear of needles, bullying from the kids at school and finally the Scoliosis that threatened her life at such a young age. After her surgery her confidence grew from strength to strength and she grew to be a caring, helpful, intelligent and compassionate young lady. The kind of child all parents hope their children will aspire to be, a child you can be really proud of.