Vale Carolyn Riordan – Lung Foundation 2020 Volunteer of the Year
The Lung Foundation Australia Board, CEO, staff and members, with great sadness, wish to advise that Mrs Carolyn Riordan, 2020 Volunteer of the Year, lung cancer ambassador, wife, mother of four beautiful girls, daughter, sister and friend passed away on Wednesday 15 July 2020.
We send our love to Bernie and Carolyn’s beautiful girls. Details of the celebration of Carolyn’s life will be provided shortly.
CEO NOTE
Carolyn sent me flowers on my first day as CEO and as I have come to know she always put others first. We have shared many moments over the last two years and her death has deeply touched me, our team and our network of supporters. It plays in sharp reality why we come to work.
Carolyn was a passionate champion of the Lung Foundation Australia and our work in lung cancer. She faced her diagnosis with grace, dignity and a determination that inspired me and so many others. She walked 1,000 kms with her sister, Penni and family members to complete the Bibbulmun Track – WA, to honour her father Peter, and to raise funds for Lung Foundation Australia. Members of her family and brother, Peter, also joined in a number of events raising much needed funds and she spoke with tremendous tenderness at the 2019 Hope in Every Breath Gala Ball.
Carolyn attended every lung cancer conference and Parliamentary Friends of Lung Cancer group meeting and politely corrected Ministers, Members and Senators as to the reality of lung cancer and the terrible stigma that surrounds it.
But beyond the fundraising and advocacy, Carolyn was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, teacher librarian and friend. She brought sunshine to the lives of others and she asked me to remain hopeful for those patients and families who will follow.
Vale and much love Carolyn.
Mark Brooke
CEO