Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

We lost someone today...

Dear Harringay community,

One of the things I love so much about living here is the incredible sense of community. Neighbours who know each other and care, which makes what I am about to say all the more heartbreaking.

Amongst our community are those invisible souls who we see fleetingly and perhaps smile at but nothing more. Last week I came out of my door to find an elderly woman with a shopping trolley on wheels struggling for breath. She was so old and frail I couldn't believe she was alone.

I helped her to Wightman road and to her door, during that brief 20 minutes I found out she had lived here for 40 years - she lived alone - it was sadly clear that she was struggling to take care of herself. I helped her in and a couple of days later I knocked as I wanted to offer her some help, just let her know if she needed shopping I could go for her. No answer. The following day I put a card through the door. Again no answer. This weekend went by. Today I went again as I couldn't stop thinking of her. No answer and I saw my card was still there untouched. I called social services, they had no record of her. They advised I called the police. They had to forcibly enter and found her. She'd passed away alone.

Today we lost Catherine Kibikyo, age unknown, a Haringey resident for 40 years, RIP.

If you have neighbours alone, or think someone might be please please, knock on their doors, don't hesitate too long as I fear I might have...

Thank you for reading x

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Permalink Reply by MICHAEL on December 18, 2020 at 9:21

A heart rending, but touching reminder of our humanity and our frailties. Well done Gemma, for the difference you made to Catherine both before, and after her passing. Thanks for sharing.

Michael