Lucy: the girl whose smile lit up our lives

MY DAUGHTER LUCY

LUCY achieved more in her 37 years than some people do in 100. She was born with learning difficulties and autism, and diagnosed aged two.

We were devastated, but determined that she would lead a happy and fulfilling life.

She went to the village school, where she made many friends, and she loved country dancing. One of my favourite memories is of her dancing round the Maypole in church. She was such a loving, affectionate little girl.

There were things she couldn’t do, of course: she struggled with counting and handling money was beyond her. But she was a whizz at word searches, completing page after page.

When she left school at 16, she received a personal achievement award, which made us so proud.

We wanted Lucy to have as independent a life as possible, so she went to a special needs college, which taught her how to live on her own. Afterwards, she lived in a shared house with three other girls. She couldn’t do what people regard as a proper job, but she did voluntary work. She did so much more than anyone ever expected her to.

Lucy fell ill in the spring of 2017. It was a sore back at first, then nausea. In September, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It shattered us all. We looked after her at home and she never knew she wouldn’t get better. We just couldn’t tell her.

Lucy’s death was tragic, but there was nothing tragic about her life. It was full, happy and she brought us infinite joy. She made us so proud.

lucy Overson, born October 19, 1980, died December 24, 2017, aged 37.