Being the classy person I am, I loved The Jeremy Kyle show. Around 2013, I found a group on Facebook that reveled in the strange guests who were often on. Lots of screenshots, and lots of being rude. Rowena was in that group, and I can't remember how, but a small group of us from that page got in touch privately to chat. That's how I first became acquainted with her.

After hearing she passed, I looked back at some of those old messages between the two of us, and was reminded of things from long ago which she overcame such as heartbreaks, mistreatment from jobs and/or people, as well as daily crazy things that happened. It seems a lifetime ago.

During all of these personal dramas, we shared our lives with each other, and became friends. We didn't meet for a while due to circumstances whenever I'd be in the country, but we finally met up a few years back in Chester. We went to V Bites for lunch, walked around, and talked about all sorts. I swore we took a bunch of selfies of ourselves, and I remember where we stood while posing for them, but all that I seem to have from the day was one blurry shot of us. She made a long journey just to see me for a few hours, though I didn't realize until she was leaving just how long it would take her to get back home, and how she traveled specially to see me.

When my life started becoming crazy due to an ongoing situation she had had some personal experience with, she would call me to offer an ear, and be there to talk. She tried to help wherever she could. When she faced issues, she'd call, and I'd try to be there for her as best as I could. I felt as if I could never help her the way she helped me, however.

She was always happy to listen to a medical question about my cats, and when a friend needed some help, she not only answered her questions, she became friends with her too.

She loved her pets, she felt they were better than most people (I agree!), and they were all she really needed. They were a happy family together, and content.

When she found out she was ill, she didn't seem fearful at all. Maybe her training as a vet helped her? She said things seemed hopeful, though it wasn't pleasant going through things. The last time we talked, we said we'd have to talk soon so she could tell me about things more. By the time I went to get in touch, it was too late. I was in shock, and I'm still in shock. I can't imagine a world where she's not here with us. It doesn't feel real, and I'm not sure it ever will.