TV PRESENTER CARON KEATING GREW UP IN HILLSBOROUGH
| Inspirational' Caron loses battle with cancer |
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| by JULIE SPENCE | An inspiration to everyone - Caron Keating, who died this week. |
THE death of TV presenter Caron Keating this week has been profoundly felt across Northern Ireland, and particularly in Hillsborough where she was brought up.
Caron (42) lost her seven-year battle with breast cancer and died at the home of her mother, Gloria Hunniford, in Sevenoaks, Kent on Easter Tuesday.
She was surrounded by her family - mother Gloria, husband Russ Lindsay and children Charlie, 9, and Gabriel, 7.
Caron's family said she had been a 'total inspiration' and that her death had left 'an unfilled void'.
"Her husband and children were by her side throughout and her brothers Michael and Paul have been a constant support during her illness," said a family statement.
"Caron made a lasting impact on everyone she met, wherever she lived. She was a beautiful, fun-loving and spirited individual who throughout the last seven years has been a total inspiration to her family and friends.
"It goes without saying that she will leave an unfilled void in the family circle, but she leaves a legacy of wonderful memories and love, which will stay with us all our lives." Daughter of Gloria Hunniford and the late Don Keating, Caron grew up in Hillsborough. She attended Fullerton House before continuing her education at Methodist College, and with a career in the media calling, Caron completed a degree in English and Drama at Bristol University.
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Despite moving to England, Caron always maintained close links with her friends in Hillsborough and her death has come as a shock to friends, who remained unaware of the extent of Caron's illness. Caron's first presentation was in Northern Ireland and she made her mark with the youth programme 'Channel One'.
Her big break came in November 1986 when she landed a presenting job on Blue Peter and spent four years tackling everything the show could throw at her.
From there the offers poured in and she presented shows like 'This Morning', 'Rich and Famous' and 'Open House'.
Caron spent the last two years in the sunshine of Byron Bay, Australia with her husband and two sons, although her family home remained in Fowey, Cornwall. Tributes have been flooding in for Caron. Richard Marson, editor of Blue Peter, said she would be deeply missed. "Caron was an incredible person and a brilliant presenter and all of the Blue Peter team send their deepest sympathy to her family and friends," he said.
Former First Minister and Lisburn resident David Trimble added his words. "The Keatings and Hunnifords are very well known in Lisburn where I live. She was an inspiration to the people of Northern Ireland and further afield. I extend my sympathy to all members of her family."
Caron's funeral will take place next Tuesday, April 20 at Haver Castle in Kent, where Caron celebrated her marriage to Russ Lindsay.
16/04/2004
