I have had a fascinating and varied career, in the pattern of many fortunate women of my generation. From teaching I found my way into school management and then into the senior management of a major UK charity called Christian Aid , which is the official overseas development agency for over forty churches in Britain and Ireland.

Six years working for Christian Aid were among the most interesting and valuable of my life. Compared with many of the poorest people in the world (especially women, whose life expectancy in many countries is still way below my present age) I have had more than my share of opportunity for fulfilment and happiness!

Treatment for cancer and a reduced life-expectancy has simply offered me the chance of doing things rather more quickly, and of living life as fully as possible from day to day.

My greatest personal sources of pleasure are my husband, who runs a UK Parish Church; two children, who were born in Nigeria and have an international outlook, partly through attending an international sixth form The United World College of the Atlantic; other family members.

I have also had a long interest in what is sometimes euphemistically called the 'Three Ds', because I believe they play an important part in the way people LIVE - Death, Dying and Disposal!

Past societies are often known by their burial mounds, pyramids, catacombs and tombs. More recently graveyards and churches play a historic role. But western society is dangerously moving into "death-denial", which is both unhealthy and unhelpful. At its worst it leads to people not planning to leave behind an ordered and helpful legacy by means of a proper 'Last Will and Testament' (which serves the legal profession very well, but the families very badly).

So I campaign to encourage people to plan ahead, to think of how they want to leave behind whatever they have gained in this life. And I hope that along with legacies to their family members they will recognise the needs of the poor of the world via organisations like Christian Aid.

As a recent piece of publicity put it "Making a Will Won't Kill You"! And nor will deciding to be an organ donor or letting your folk know how you want them to dispose of your remains after your death. I am reminded of the fact that when I told my son that I had a kind of terminal cancer his very sensible and helpful response was "Ahh... well.., Don't worry Mum, all life is terminal"! He is right; and we will all live the better for knowing that we only have one life and should try to make the most of it.

Thank you for reading my pages. I hope you will find them helpful.