Gwen Howard

Gwen was a loud,strong, loving person.You could hear her laugh miles away! She was my Mum and best friend.I miss he so much!
She died of Acute respiratory distress syndrome,or ARDS for short.

ARDS is a severe lung disease caused by a variety of direct and indirect issues. It is characterized by inflammation of the lung parenchyma leading to impaired gas exchange with concomitant systemic release of inflammatory mediators causing inflammation, hypoxemia and frequently resulting in multiple organ failure.This condion is often Fatal!
prior to this Mum had been in hospital for several weeks with an ulcerated leg as a result from Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease (also known as granulomatous colitis and regional enteritis) is an inflammatory disease of the intestines that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from anus to mouth, causing a wide variety of symptoms. It primarily causes abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody), vomiting, or weight loss, but may also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis and inflammation of the eye.

Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disease, in which the body's immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation; it is classified as a type of inflammatory bowel disease.
This was very debilitating for Mum and she hated and could not come to terms with it.At the age of 72 it's a big thing to have to change your whole way of life!!
Up untill this Mum lived a very happy and fulfilling life.Although she was disabled with arthritis and fybromialgia,she overcame this with determination and help.
She was a great Listener and through her own battle of coming off tranquilizers started a self help group to help others in the same situation.She was a good and caring friend,and would always try to help in any way she could if needed.
She was a strong character and could more than often be loud and a bit sharp.But those that knew her, knew that her bark was worse that her bite.
She was a loving caring Mum to Paul,Peter, Lorna and Lisa,Mum in law to Maria,Karen and Gary.Nanny to Leigh,Mark,Kellie,Chelsea,Jonathan,Jay,Liz and Lily.Great Nan to Shaunna,Kirstan and Anthony.Sister to Chris,Sister in law to Bill.
She is greatly missed,but her spirit is with us always.Her smile is bright ,her laughter is endless.
God bless xx