It is with great sadness I share with you the news that this week, one of our wonderful learners, Elizabeth Jane Corbett, lost her youngest daughter.
It is with Elizabeth’s blessing I share with you this news.
@elizabeth_jane needs little introduction. She is one of the most bubbly, enthusiastic and passionate Welsh learners I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Her smile, positive energy and brightness touches everyone she meets.
Liz lives in Melbourne Australia with her husband Andrew, but has had many visits to Wales in the last few years. You may have had the pleasure of meeting Liz as she attended Bootcamps and travelled the country researching her novel, The Tides Between, which was published late last year.
Liz and Andrew have four grown up children. Their youngest was the beautiful Naomi Priya Corbett, who left this earth on the 15th of this month. She was only in her twenties and was deeply loved by all who knew her.
These are Elizabeth’s words…
Those who know us will know that our daughter Naomi Corbett has struggled with anxiety and depression for some time. Last night she lost the fight. She is gone from us. We are all terribly, terribly undone. We will miss her so much.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Naomi Priya, but have listened to Liz talk about her with so much love, passion, dedication and hope. Liz, a very devoted and patient mother, has kindly been an understanding ear and source of wisdom for me on many an occasion.
I am deeply saddened by their tragic loss and know that they are completely devastated to have to say goodbye to their baby. Please join me in sending our condolences to Liz and their family at this very difficult time.
I leave you with a poem Liz posted in the wake of losing her daughter…
Hiraeth mawr a hiraeth creulon,
Hiraeth sydd yn torri 'nghalon;
Pan fwyf dryma’r nos yn cysgu,
Fe ddaw hiraeth ac a’m deffry.
Great longing and cruel longing,
Longing which is breaking my heart;
When I most heavily by night do sleep,
Then comes longing and awakens me.