Dear member,

It is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to Chris Toule, who recently passed away.

Chris Toule was born on 14 August 1957 and was originally from Hull, although throughout her life she lived in many different places before eventually making her home here in France. 

Chris had lived in France for many years and, four years ago, she and Cliff Bertenshaw were married at the Mairie in Saint-Georges-de-Montclard, the village they called home. They had been together for many, many years before finally making it official. Chris chose to keep her own surname, Toule, because she wanted to keep the same name as her children. 

Chris and Cliff were very much part of village life. Both were active members of the village council, and they regularly helped to organise the many events that brought people together in what is a wonderfully social community. Chris loved being involved and, in so many ways, she was at the heart of village life. 

For me, one of the things I will remember most fondly about Chris was her Zumba. She taught Zumba in the village twice a week, and I was lucky enough to be one of her “Zumba gang”. We first met when I joined her class more than ten years ago. Those classes were about far more than exercise. There was energy, laughter, friendship and, of course, Chris’s enthusiasm at the centre of it all. 

We also did yoga together twice a week and went swimming once a week, so keeping active was certainly a big part of Chris’s life. But that was only the beginning. 

Chris and Cliff loved ballroom dancing, and Chris also had a passion for African dance and drumming. She was a member of the choir in Montclard, giving yet another part of herself to the community she loved. 

And then there was her garden. 

Chris had what can only be described as green fingers. Her beautiful garden was something she took great pleasure in, and somehow everything always seemed to bloom for her. She had a real love of nature and took enormous pride in creating and caring for her little corner of the world. 

Another important part of Chris’s life was her love of animals. We were both members of a dog-walking group, and we enjoyed our dogs together. In earlier years, we covered many kilometres on some of those walks, before our beloved dogs inevitably became older and a little more infirm. Those walks were about companionship as much as exercise, and they created many happy memories. 

Chris’s passion for animal welfare went far beyond dogs. She cared deeply about animals of all kinds. It was one of the reasons we decided to sell clothes to raise funds for Phoenix, while at the same time giving unwanted clothes another chance to bring pleasure to someone rather than ending up in landfill. It was a cause that fitted Chris perfectly: helping animals, helping others and doing something positive for the planet. 

Chris also believed in raising money for causes that mattered. 

Only two years ago, we took part together in a mud run in Toulouse, raising money for cancer charities. It was great fun, and we got thoroughly muddy along the way. Little did we know then that the same charity would one day be providing help and support to Chris herself. 

The team who looked after Chris were absolutely wonderful. They were caring, compassionate and incredibly uplifting. They were always cheerful, even though they must have to deal with sadness every single day. Their kindness meant a great deal. 

Chris will be missed by so many people: by Cliff, by her family, by her friends, by her Zumba gang, by those who shared yoga, swimming, dancing, walking and singing with her, by her fellow villagers, and by everyone whose life she touched along the way. 

Reading back over everything Chris managed to fit into her life, one thing becomes very clear: 

She certainly packed a lot into it. 

She was active, generous, sociable, caring and full of life. She gave her time to her village, her energy to her friends, her love to Cliff and her family, and her compassion to animals and causes that mattered to her. 

Chris leaves behind many memories, and those memories are woven into the everyday lives of so many people. Every Zumba class, village event, walk, garden, song, dance and shared laugh will carry a little piece of her with it. 

She will be deeply missed, but she will also be remembered with enormous affection, gratitude and, I hope, plenty of smiles. 

Rest peacefully, Chris. You truly did make the most of your time with us.

The Phoenix Association family

Chris Toule

Donations can be made to Phoenix Association here.