TRIBUTES and condolences have poured in from across West Devon following the death of Jill Farwell, founder of Children?s Hospice South West, who lost her long-running battle with breast cancer last week writes Chrissie Sumner.
The 54 year-old spent much of her early life in Tavistock, attending Tavistock College and getting married at St Andrew?s Church in Whitchurch.
Jill set up Little Bridge House in North Devon nine years ago with the help of her husband Eddie, following the tragic loss of their two young children to a rare illness.
Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer the year Little Bridge House opened Jill continued to oversee the running of the hospice, and was well on the way to opening a second before her death last Tuesday.
Linda Downing, chairman of Buckland Monachorum Friends of Children?s Hospice South West Group, said Jill was always at the forefront of work for the hospice, becoming a personal friend of everyone who came into contact with her.
?Jill was dedicated, charming and deeply compassionate,? Linda said.
?She was one of those rare people who, by her own initiative made a vision come true ? not for herself but for the benefit of others.
?She was a wonderful person and the world is poorer for her passing.?
Little Bridge House?s assistant executive director George Cameron said: ?The hospice is Jill?s vision come to life ? it is not the end but the beginning of the road to providing care for children with life limiting and life threatening conditions right across the South West.
?We can never replace Jill, she was a remarkable woman full of natural warmth, but everyone at Children?s Hospice South West is totally determined to ensure that the rest of Jill?s vision is delivered.
?Jill and Eddie?s achievements for the community are beyond measure and opening the second hospice will be our way of continuing her legacy.?
The inspiration for Little Bridge House came from Jill?s personal experience of Britain?s first children?s hospice ? Helen House in Oxford.
The fact the hospice was so over-subscribed fired a determination to rectify the situation and start a hospice in the South West.
Within the space of just five years Jill had amassed an incredible £5 million and patronage from TV presenter Noel Edmonds and newsreader Martyn Lewis.
Little Bridge House opened its doors to families for the first time in September 1995 and has provided round the clock care to thousands of sick children ever since.
Noel Edmonds, who lives at Jacobstowe, said Jill was an ?awesome? person who combined compassion and determination.
?She had such energy and ability to motivate people ? she was also quietly charismatic.
?I have met a lot of people in charity work, but I have never met anyone like Jill.?