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Sarah Caton

November 27, 1970 - December 15, 2021

Our wonderful friend and colleague Sarah Caton died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on 15 December. As the fabulous Chief Officer of ADCS from its inception, Sarah had a tireless commitment to her work and was passionate about the growth and influence of the Association. She led with humour and integrity, and was a fierce supporter of her staff team. Sarah was the heart and soul of ADCS; she drew people together around friendship, fun, immense volumes of work and a shared purpose. The outpouring of love from across the country when we found out she was ill demonstrated her place in the hearts of so many. We have lost a dear friend, an advocate and a leader. She was an inspiration and we will miss her hugely, but her legacy will live on in our lives and in our work. ADCS is the Association it is because of her. In lieu of flowers Sarah asked for any donations to go Macmillan Cancer Support - https://tributefunds.macmillan.org.uk/In-Memory/Sarah-Caton

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Katy Block 2021-12-21 14:41:33 wrote:

I had all planned on knowing Sarah for a very long time, or at least as long as she’d tolerate my presence in her life. She was a consummate professional by day and the life and soul of the party by night. I could see the occasions when I ordered a cup (or even pot!) of tea on a staff night out sorely tested her patience but thankfully this wasn’t considered a P45 infringement! On a professional level, Sarah was exacting, she had high standards and expected the best from us, at all times, but she would never ask anything she wasn’t prepared to do herself, including stuffing envelopes or making up name badges. She was more than a manager, she was a mentor and a good friend, taking time out to help each of us in the team find a way through queries or challenges, giving us space to reflect and grow. There were lots of recurring phrases and words in the many the tributes shared with us over the last few days and weeks: sharp, intelligent, formidable, principled, champion, warrior, fearless, funny, passionate, caring, northern, wine lover, red pen connoisseur. She was all these things and more. Like all of us Sarah was a bundle of contradictions: • She was strong and could give the impression of being hard but she was big hearted and so thoughtful. We lived close together and from time to time during the various lockdowns, she would turn up on my doorstep unannounced with flowers or sweet treats • She was glamorous and rarely seen without her heels, even when she had a bad back, but she was also a big fan of fancy dress and the onesie • She enjoyed the finer things in life, such as expensive wines and dining in Michelin starred restaurants, but she was equally enthusiastic about a finding a new backstreet curry house or having an illicit pie and chips when we had a take away in the office for lunch. I recently read an article detailing the five stages of grief in which the author described a further stage, finding meaning, not in death but from the life of a friend or loved one. In acknowledging what they meant to us and recognising how knowing them shaped the person we are. Sarah would always be in favour of one last drink, buying those shoes or being frank in feedback about yet another misguided idea from government. I increasingly find myself thinking: “What would Sarah do?” Be braver, for sure. I always knew ADCS was strong, tight team. And, because of this space and support she gave us, I thought it was a collective, but really it was her gang and I’m glad, that for a while, I got to be in it.

Katy Block 2021-12-21 14:41:33 wrote: I had all planned on knowing Sarah for a very long time, or at least as long as she’d tolerate my presence in her life. She was a consummate professional by day and the life and soul of the party by night. I could see the occasions when I ordered a cup (or even pot!) of tea on a staff night out sorely tested her patience but thankfully this wasn’t considered a P45 infringement! On a professional level, Sarah was exacting, she had high standards and expected the best from us, at all times, but she would never ask anything she wasn’t prepared to do herself, including stuffing envelopes or making up name badges. She was more than a manager, she was a mentor and a good friend, taking time out to help each of us in the team find a way through queries or challenges, giving us space to reflect and grow. There were lots of recurring phrases and words in the many the tributes shared with us over the last few days and weeks: sharp, intelligent, formidable, principled, champion, warrior, fearless, funny, passionate, caring, northern, wine lover, red pen connoisseur. She was all these things and more. Like all of us Sarah was a bundle of contradictions: • She was strong and could give the impression of being hard but she was big hearted and so thoughtful. We lived close together and from time to time during the various lockdowns, she would turn up on my doorstep unannounced with flowers or sweet treats • She was glamorous and rarely seen without her heels, even when she had a bad back, but she was also a big fan of fancy dress and the onesie • She enjoyed the finer things in life, such as expensive wines and dining in Michelin starred restaurants, but she was equally enthusiastic about a finding a new backstreet curry house or having an illicit pie and chips when we had a take away in the office for lunch. I recently read an article detailing the five stages of grief in which the author described a further stage, finding meaning, not in death but from the life of a friend or loved one. In acknowledging what they meant to us and recognising how knowing them shaped the person we are. Sarah would always be in favour of one last drink, buying those shoes or being frank in feedback about yet another misguided idea from government. I increasingly find myself thinking: “What would Sarah do?” Be braver, for sure. I always knew ADCS was strong, tight team. And, because of this space and support she gave us, I thought it was a collective, but really it was her gang and I’m glad, that for a while, I got to be in it.

Comments (2)

  • Debbie Jones Anonymous user 28-12 2021 21:41

    I could not agree more Katy...she was so very proud of her team..her gang...and with enormous justification

  • Matt Dunkley Anonymous user 22-12 2021 18:19

    Beautifully put Katy. Sarah loved you and the ADCS staff like family, and was fiercely protective of you all. She was so proud of her team and everything you do for the Association on a daily basis. As are we, who benefit from your work.

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