Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by nathan on May 3, 2014 at 18:11

If you click on the link below you can get a picture of her demise on this estate, I was quite depressed to witness some of it.

VALERIE PORTER

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Permalink Reply by Louise Coleman on May 3, 2014 at 19:57

Hi Nathan

Thank you so much for getting in touch - I had read some of these comments the other day, I just wondered if anyone had been involved with her care and what on earth went wrong really. I'm really keen to contact her family and wondered if anyone had any details. So she had a fall and clearly had no heating either. I just wonder what went so wrong - she was very successful career wise and seemed to always be busy with friends etc at one time. 

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Permalink Reply by Maria Elizabeth Prior on May 4, 2014 at 0:01

Hi Louise

I knew Val for many years, and she lived on the floor below mine in Crescent House, and I got to know her through another neighbour.  Firstly, may I say how sorry I feel about this, and my condolences to you.  We were told that she had no family, and that her funeral was arranged by the hospital, where she passed away.  She lived at 243 Crescent House, and her flat has still to be sorted out, and her possessions still remain there.  I have made enquiries about this to the Estate Manager, Mr Laurence Jones, but, even after 2 emails I have yet to receive a response, even though I am the block representative for Crescent House.  I am also very concerned about the fact she had no heating.

May I suggest that you contact Mr Jones at the Estate Office.  The tel no is:  020 7253 2556. 

Once again, I am so sorry about this, as Val was a lovely lady and I enjoyed knowing her.  She is sadly missed by many people.  It sounds a lovely idea to set up a memorial for Val.  If you prefer, you can contact me via my email address, which is:  mariaeprior@talktalk.net

Kind regards. 

Maria.

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Permalink Reply by Louise Coleman on May 4, 2014 at 10:28

Hi Maria

Thank you so so much for this information and getting back to me. My mother did contact the Estate Office but was advised to contact the police. However, the police advised that it would be the responsibility of the Estate to arrange . My mother remembers that she did in fact have cousins living in Northern Ireland - did you know she too was from Northern Ireland? I would love to bring my mother to the flat at some time and perhaps if we could arrange this that would be wonderful. We knew her address as kept in touch, so I shall come up and leave some flowers there and at the crematorium too. I shall contact Mr Laurence Jones after the Bank Holiday and hopefully we can get through to him.

We are so shocked and worried about her last days and just want to make sure that everything is settled and she gets the respect she still deserves.

Thank you so much for contact me - kindest regards, Louise Coleman x

 

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Permalink Reply by nathan on May 4, 2014 at 10:50

I spoke to Val only a few times , one of those occasions was a week before her death, I thought from her accent she was from Belfast, she corrected me and told me she wasn't, she said she had acquired the accent after working for the civil service for a long time in Belfast. I also witnessed the ambulance crew taking her out of the block, and spoke to them as well as the police, one of them said the flat was freezing and she had spent 5 days and nights laying on the concrete floor. One of the ambulance crew said she would be fine, she was dead within 4 days I think. I googled her name and found she had been involved with charity work for the Quakers, I rang a few Quaker organisations and informed them, I think they actually new who she was. She actually has a friend here in Crescent house and  I would see them on a daily basis going to Costa Coffee together. The Neaman Practice at Halfmoon Court might be of help, I wouldn't be put of if you get an unhelpful person on the phone, just try again, ask to speak to Dr. Cho, some are helpful, some are the opposite, the estate office here I would not ask for help, you would be better going higher to someone at Lauderdale Tower or the Guildhall. maybe someone in social services, but expect long phone calls. I forgot to mention it looks like the flat has not been emptied, it would be nice if someone who cared and knew her could take her belongings and valuables, otherwise the thought of the corp emptying the flat would not be a respectful or fitting end to her residency on this estate.One of the neighbours said she had a very successful career in the civil service at a high level.

Louise Coleman said:

Hi Maria

Thank you so so much for this information and getting back to me. My mother did contact the Estate Office but was advised to contact the police. However, the police advised that it would be the responsibility of the Estate to arrange . My mother remembers that she did in fact have cousins living in Northern Ireland - did you know she too was from Northern Ireland? I would love to bring my mother to the flat at some time and perhaps if we could arrange this that would be wonderful. We knew her address as kept in touch, so I shall come up and leave some flowers there and at the crematorium too. I shall contact Mr Laurence Jones after the Bank Holiday and hopefully we can get through to him.

We are so shocked and worried about her last days and just want to make sure that everything is settled and she gets the respect she still deserves.

Thank you so much for contact me - kindest regards, Louise Coleman x

 

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Permalink Reply by Louise Coleman on May 4, 2014 at 17:39

Hi Nathan

Thank you so much again for replying. Mum advised she was from another part of Northern Ireland or at least she worked there rather. She worked for Commercial Union and that was how my mother met her,they were great friends and that is how she became my Godmother. We have many photo's of her too and she was at my Confirmation. We would just hate her belongings to be taken by the state and dumped somewhere, despite the fact she was a hoarder.  I'm sure there would be some pictures and personal things, cards and such like that we sent and of the family. I just really would like her family involved as I'm so sure she has some. She was a very intelligent lady who did have a fantastic career and was very generous to me. I shall follow up the GP and Lauderdale Court - the GP were interested when my mother spoke to them but I guess there was relatively little they could tell us. It just seems so tragic that she passed in this way and that she may have suffered at the end too which is horrendous. I know she may well have lived there since the flats were built, at least that is what my mother believes. 

Thank you so much for this information - I shall let you know and keep you updated.

Louise x 

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Permalink Reply by Maria Elizabeth Prior on May 5, 2014 at 0:26

Hi Louise,

As Val was a tenant here for many years, it is the City of London's responsibility to assist you.  As her flat has remained untouched, and that no family have been traced, I would presume that you, as God daughter, were the closest she had.  Therefore, as you say, it would be awful for her belongings to be taken and dumped somewhere.  So wrong.  Don't let that happen.  I say this because, not so long ago a neighbour of mine, whom I had known for 20 years, was taken into residential care, and had no family.  I had a lot of trouble even finding out where she was taken, which I did eventually, and all her possessions were thrown out on a skip.  I was very upset about this, and managed to salvage some of her belongings I knew were important to her.  I was told, even her TV was thrown out, and she would have liked to have had it in her care home, as I knew she enjoyed some programmes.  Even as a person who knew her best nobody bothered to ask my opinion, and instead total strangers made all the decisions.  It was very distressing. 

However, as Val's belongings are still in her flat, then you have the chance to sort things out.  If you want to let me know how you get on.  As I said, I am the Block Rep. for Crescent House, and thought a lot of Val, and I think that we all, who cared for her, have a right to know what is happening. 

All the best.

Maria.

Louise Coleman said:

Hi Maria

Thank you so so much for this information and getting back to me. My mother did contact the Estate Office but was advised to contact the police. However, the police advised that it would be the responsibility of the Estate to arrange . My mother remembers that she did in fact have cousins living in Northern Ireland - did you know she too was from Northern Ireland? I would love to bring my mother to the flat at some time and perhaps if we could arrange this that would be wonderful. We knew her address as kept in touch, so I shall come up and leave some flowers there and at the crematorium too. I shall contact Mr Laurence Jones after the Bank Holiday and hopefully we can get through to him.

We are so shocked and worried about her last days and just want to make sure that everything is settled and she gets the respect she still deserves.

Thank you so much for contact me - kindest regards, Louise Coleman x

 

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Permalink Reply by Louise Coleman on May 5, 2014 at 21:36

Hi Maria

Thank you again for your advise. I shall be contacting all of the above tomorrow. I really just want to possibly get hold of an address book or notebook that would have some family contacts in. I'm sure she had family and they probably don't even know of her passing. I just hope I can get some answer and the powers that be will support what we're trying to resolve.

I'll keep you in the loop and once again, thank you so much for all your responses.

Kindest regards, Louise Coleman x

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