Victoria Lynn .co.uk

Victoria Kate Lynn - "Torti"
Home Contact Us News Update Autobiography Reader's Comments Pictures Victoria's Poems Fund Raising Events Donations Letters Guest Book Anecdotes Mitzvah (good deed) Mailing List Newspaper Articles Miscellaneous	Letters Please send us your letter!! Name: E-mail address: (your email address will not be published on the site). Would you like this letter to be published on the site? Letter: Please Note that all new letters will be added to the top of the list. ______________________________________________ I was very moved by this brave young lady's account of her life, and I sincerely hope the money raised by her autobiography will help find a cure for this disease. My heart goes out to her family and friends whose lives must have a big hole in them because of Victoria's passing. Jean Dyson ______________________________________________ No matter how many times I write, or how many times we speak, it never seems to truly do justice to Vicky’s memory. She has been on my mind a lot recently, since the stone-setting and after reading some of the newer entries on the website, particularly by Lee and Tarryn. The observations they made about Torti’s being able to see past external beauty into the depths of her friends were so true. She valued everyone not for their looks, but for their inner qualities. That is a rare gift, which she definitely had. I have also missed her a great deal in the past week, as I know we would both have taken great pleasure in the simultaneous engagements of our very dear oldersiblings! Vicky was one of the few people, I would never have lost touch with after uni, and I still have trouble believing that she is no longer here. I can only imagine that your great joy at Abbie’s engagement is tinged with sadness that Vicky cannot join in with you. But I have no doubt that wherever her neshama is, it is screaming and jumping with joy that knows no bounds! JC ______________________________________________ I have just finished reading Vicki's book in just two days i could not put it down! She really was an insperation to us all, full of so much goodness. I beleive she will carry on all her good work by people she inspired to do good, by teaching no matter how bad things are going, how tough life is, how down u may feel, if she did it then we can! I will always remember her by that smile that really was so infectious. My heart goes out to her family and friends, i really think you all gave her that love of life. SHE WAS AND STILL IS A TRUE ANGEL XX Roxanne ______________________________________________ When I returned home from the unveiling my head was spinning with many stories and lessons that I learned from Torti’s life. Although I shared some stories at the memorial there was two particular strong stories that I didn’t share which to me have very powerful lessons. I often remember sitting in sixth form with our group of friends and Victoria would always go on about how “fit” this boy was and how “fit” this or that person on TV was. I remember though one person who she though was particularly fit was her consultant Iain. She would come into the library and in her own unique excited style would say ”oh he’s sooooooo fit”. Being the typical teenage girls that we were, we drew up in our heads what Iain would look like. To me Iain was this tall dark handsome doctor, someone who had just come out of Neighbours or Home and Away. My illusions were shattered when Torti brought in a picture of Iain . The tall dark handsome doctor was in reality quite bald. No offence to any bald men - but you see there is a vital lesson from this that we can all learn. Far too often in life we are fooled by external appearances but Torti wasn’t fooled. Iain was fit because he had a wonderful personality, an amazing inner beauty that to Victoria shone through and in her eyes Victoria was like this with everyone. She never “judged a book by its cover” she saw past external appearances and had the unique ability to see the beauty of everyone’s neshama. It is a vital lesson that we can all learn, as far too often we judge too quickly and are fooled by external appearances and If only we looked a little bit deeper then we would gain so much more in our lives. The other short message that I wanted to convey which has previously been mentioned is that everyone really was Victoria’s best friend. It was actually a personal joke between the two of us as whenever I asked her who people were, she would always answer, “they’re my best friend” she really did mean it, everyone was her best friend. Whatever she did, wherever she went she was rarely to be found alone. I remember laughing with her and putting her name in my mobile phone as “loner” simply because of the irony that she never was alone. She truly did live the concept of “love thy neighbour” by example to us all. We should all really look into ourselves and consider what efforts we make with our fellow humans and do we truly make an effort to fulfil the mitzva of “love thy neighbour” If we can all get on and be united with each other then surely this can only strengthen our resolve against other societies of the world who want to see our downfall. Tarryn Balkind ______________________________________________ Torti the brave you were taken so suddenly, To all it was hard to believe. For if anyone didn't deserve this Torti it was you. Everyone’s devastated - me too. I was there today to celebrate your memory Your friends love you so much And of course your family. Torti I'm sorry we didn't spend much time together Because we grew up together and that will last forever. But more about you - Normally people always say good About the people who have passed on, But you are the special one. So many people, so much admiration For Torti Lynn the inspiration. You were everything I wanted to be The kindness, the love the potential to be on TV Uncle Bryan, Aunty Susan here is a message for you, My second parents the special two. Uncle Bryan for the warmth and kindness You passed on to Torti And Aunty Susan I won't say anything naughty. To Kerry and Abbie what more can i say The three singing sisters will carry on hurray. Now I am going cos I'm starting to go on. Torti Lynn this is for you The memory will live on. Jonny Rose ______________________________________________ Nothing I write is ever good enough Extraordinariness Since the unveiling today, I haven’t been able to turn off the desire to write something to, for and of Tortie. As soon as I started to say something at the Hilton Suite to honour her memory, I felt the inadequacy of everything I was saying and the profound desire to say more to try to express how I feel knowing that ‘Nothing I write is ever good enough’. I thought that the way in which everyone expressed themselves today was a testament to the girl that was and a beautiful-if tragically transient- way to remember that special young lady. I never feel too confident expressing my emotions in a public forum. I do so this very early morning in my stream of ramshackle consciousness for a few reasons. I want firstly to reply to an incident that figures greatly in my mind of Tortie; To say something to her that I never said at the time, and regret not saying. I do so also to show and to say how special Tortie was. And I do so, to speak to the wonderful Lynn family in a way that I can’t seem to do face to face. I want to talk about a time when Tortie wasn’t in positive mood; She wasn’t laughing and she wasn’t smiling. She was being introspective. We were talking about this episode or that and she confided something to me. She said to me-and it truly seems incredible after everything we heard in Shul today, and have heard over the past year, and incredible too because I knew how wonderful Tortie was- that she thought she was incredibly ‘ordinary’. This wasn’t the ordinariness she sought so as to hide the reality of her fragile condition and painful suffering but the ordinariness no one seeks; She said to me that while different people had their special virtues that she didn’t see herself having anything to merit being called special. It was a low ebb for her, and she virtually never spoke like this. It caught me off guard. I did reply to her but the incident stayed in mind. I felt I muddled a response that should have been expressed better. It has struck me several times this year that I didn’t adequately say to her directly why she was so special, and I have reproached myself for my unsatisfactory answer in my head. So I say this, and I write this to her, knowing she can hear me, and hoping that it honours her memory. I want to tell her that her ordinariness –her word, never mine- was in no way ordinary; it was mind-bogellingly extraordinary. Right up to her death, despite what I knew her medical reality to be, I never fully took on board the gravity of her situation. I heard her and others talk about what ailed her, I read her autobiography last summer, and I sometimes saw her pain but it never dawned on me. I never truly realized that my friend might soon pass away. It just seemed too improbable. Victoria as her dad said lived her life; she lived every moment; she exuded life. She chatted, and cackled, and danced and chatted and chatted, and was always there for you. A friend who you wanted to talk to when you were on a high because you knew that she was, more than likely, on a high so that the situation would spiral into mad, giggling chaos. And a friend you wanted to talk to when you were down because you knew that she was, more than likely, on a high so that the situation would not seem as bad; Or because she would put it in her perspective. She would never refer to her illness to lessen your problem but her living through her illness gave Tortie-who was in some ways wonderfully naןve and innocent- an empathetic depth that few possess, and even fewer express in such down-to-earth warmth. Yes, it might have seemed ordinary to you Tortie to comfort your friends; to be the life and soul of an evening out; to demand we go to Blackpool or wherever; to know everyone in Brannigans; to be surrounded by so many people who admire and adore you but it wasn’t. It was, and is, truly extraordinary on so many levels. In other words, her extraordinariness was ordinary to her. It wasn’t, and isn’t, ordinary to other people. The way she cared for the men at Heathlands in the summer before she passed on wasn’t ordinary. She would tell me what her elderly boyfriends (!) had said to her. She would tell me with joy and complete integrity how they made her smile, and how she made them laugh. She made someone who had no desire to work on a community level –me- delight in the joy she brought to them, and envy the level of joy they brought to her. She truly delighted in their happiness. She had that effect on everyone. I wish I had told her some of that. And I hope she hears it now. And I hope I can see her smile, and for once accept a compliment that is heartfelt. I wanted also to say something to Bryan, Susan, Kerry and, of course, Abbie. I love being in your house. There is a joy that fills the place. The anecdotes not just of Tortie’s episodes but also of your own lives engulf you as you enter your home. A Shabbat at your house is filled with warmth and song. Hearing ‘The Van Trapp’ family sing is truly a moment to behold. Feeling the laughter and the integrity is an awesome experience. You are all very special people in your own right, and I feel privileged to feel so close to you all; Even to being Charlie’s ‘Uncle Lee’. I hope that you continue to have such warmth and laughter in your lives, and that I can share some small part of it. I put ‘Nothing I ever write is good enough’ for the obvious and less obvious reasons. I couldn’t hope to try and find the magic needed to conjure up something that in anyway encapsulates Tortie’s talents; I wouldn’t even dare try. I just wanted to tell everyone in my own way why I loved Tortie. To end on a happier note; On a much more Tortie note. The line comes from a Natasha Beddingfield song called ‘These Words’. Tortie lived her life to music. She would have danced the night away to this song, and peeled with laughter when it came on the dancefloor: Now you’ve gone and raised the bar right up Nothing I write is ever good enough Lee Noyek ______________________________________________ Bryan & Susan, & the rest of the family I just wanted to say how sorry I am that I won't be there with you tomorrow. My Husband will represent the family. But I will be thinking of you, I'm sure it's not an easy time. I hope you will get comfort and strength from the number of Victoria's friends who I am sure will be there, and gain from the communal remembering. Wishing you all a long life and you should only know of simchas Aliza Hodges ______________________________________________ A year on from Vicky’s death, I somehow felt that it was time to write something on this website. Sitting on the bus today, I was trying to remember all the things that were so wonderful about her and that I have missed so much over the last year. I tried to imagine her sitting next to me on the bus. Excited, happy, caring, kind, and of course – smiling. One of the things so many people have paid tribute to was her wonderful smile – that involved every muscle of her face, lighting up the whole room and everyone in it. Throughout the short time I knew her - whether we were sitting watching TV in Hillel or out in some cheesy nightclub – that smile never failed to cheer me up. Another thing that always impressed me about Vicky was the way she was never afraid to tell people how she felt about them. She had a way of always making me (and I guess everyone she knew) feel special, loved and wanted. If there was one person I could always count on to be a true friend, it was Vicky. I remember the last time I saw her, on a cold Wednesday afternoon in Leeds last November. She was bouncing down the road to Jacksons to buy light-bulbs, smiling as always. I will always remember that remarkable spirit, her warm smile and her love of people. There is a saying, I’m not quite sure where it’s from, but it reads “A little light pushes away much darkness”. Vicky’s smile and her wonderful personality were able somehow to push away the tremendous difficulties she faced in life. And similarly if people were moody or fed up, her light could always be relied on to push away the darkness. Though I only knew her for a little over two years, I know that the light she shed will remain with me forever and light up my own life. with love, Joel Clark ______________________________________________ Dear Susan, Brian, Kerry, Abbie and the rest of the family, There are so many things in everyday life to remind you of someone so special, so in a way, today is no different from the rest - I just wanted to wish you all well. Victoria lives on in our memories, our stories, in our feelings for her. A year on this website has shown how many people's lives she has touched, that is indelible. I send my love and best wishes to you all, may the future only hold happiness and mazel for you, Anthony Myers ______________________________________________ Its hard to believe a year has passed since the world lost the most beautiful and kind hearted person. Like everyone else who has tried to put into words just what they wanted to say about Victoria, it has simply been impossible to do justice with words just what a remarkable person she was. The immense impact Vic had on my life and so many others is nothing short of amazing. Vic provided me with wonderful memories of precious and mad times we spent together. I went through times with Vic that would have crushed most people but times which Victoria faced with a smile followed by a night out! Victoria set such a fine example of living life to the full regardless of all her medical problems that could have stood in her way. For me if I need that little extra strength to get through something tough, I close my eyes and think of Vic smiling and laughing at times when it was extremely difficult for her to do just that. In a sense when I think of her it feels she is still here, still part of my life, my very own guardian angel protecting and watching over me. If I could have a few moments again with you Vic I would throw my arms around you and say a really big thankyou for letting me be part of your truely magnificent life. I will love and think of you always. I hope we can follow your example of kindness and going that extra mile for other people by making your charity a success by continued fund raising. Love as always Laura Higgins ______________________________________________ Dear Bryan, Susan, Abbie, Kerry & Grandmas, Firstly mazal tov on the birth of Katy! I have struggled to find the words to write about Victoria and I think everyone has expressed so well how special she was. I was incredibly fortunate to live with Vic at university we had a wonderful time together throughout uni and sixth form. She touched my life in so many ways and I was so fortunate to have been so close to her. Victoria was a true friend and a tower of strength as well as always being up for a laugh. I have never met a girl who smiled so much even through her pain she was so selfless. Something which always impressed m Victoria was a girl who everyone knew and loved even if they only met her once she made an impact. Everyone was her ‘best friend’ and she was always making new friends even the staff at Tesco knew and loved her! Wherever she was she had a presence she would light up the room and always have us in fits of giggles. Another thing I’ll never forget was her ability to dance all night she always managed to get dressed up to go out no matter how she felt you couldn’t stop her partying. Something which Victoria always strived for was to be seen as ‘normal’ but truth be told she was so far past that, she was truly special. She is a tribute to you all. I cannot believe that so much time has gone by since she passed away. I have not stopped thinking of her and there are so many lovely memories. I hope that everyone remembers how special the people around you are and never to take anyone for granted. I was always told that the years I spend at uni & school would be the best yrs of my life and I know mine were better for knowing Vic and sharing them with her. I hope that everyone continues to fundraise in Victoria’s memory and that we can be as selfless and kind as she was. She set an example of incredibly high standards for us all to follow. All my love Rebecca Farshi xxxx ______________________________________________ In Memory….. It’s nearly a year since one of my closest friends passed away and I decided it’s about time to put my feelings down on paper and onto the website with everyone else’s. Victoria was always a very good friend to me and at the time when everyone was writing their feels down, I didn’t feel I could. I couldn’t find the words needed to describe such a person as Torti. J ust as you can’t describe a sunset to a blind person, describing Torti to a person that had never met her is near impossible. Before she passed away I thought she was incredible, and afterwards I discovered how much more she was. The number of people at the funeral just showed exactly what she meant to people and how many lives she’d affected. I spent a lot of time at the shivah house and daily I saw emails from people who’d only met Torti once, but still felt that she made such a difference to them that they had to email or write. In Judaism, we believe that we have a mission, and once we complete that mission, we have a chance to move on to the next world, to a better world. The place we should be trying to get to every day of our lives. It’s said that we should take every advantage to do a mitzvah because that might be the mitzvah that allows us to move on. Torti was a very very exceptional person. People travelled from around the country to go to her funeral. There was no room to move. Even people who'd only met her once. People who only knew OF her. She was an amazing person and you could tell without even being close to her. She did so much for so many people, and she did all this with the pain of a medical condition which took her life after so many years. If she hadn't had been such an amazing person, I wouldn't have understood it, but its clear that she completed her mission in life. She was given the chance to move on, and she took it. She knew that people would take her memory, and do amazing things with it! She knew that people wouldn't forget her. Often the people she helped didn’t even know about her problems and pains and she worked hard at keeping her problems hidden from most people. This was probably because she wanted to be normal in every way but the truth is that someone like that could never be normal. She was so much more incredible than just “normal”. We should all take Victoria’s example and work hard to complete our mission and make the world a better place. I still don’t feel that I’ve given Victoria the justice she deserves and I could write for months and still not do justice. I am a big believer in the idea that words are limiting. The reason I took so long to put my feelings down is that I didn’t want to sum up one of my closest friends in a page of words. She was more than these 524 words! She was more than a £38 (3 line message in the newspaper!) She was the world and she meant the world to me. There hasn’t been a day where I haven’t thought about her. I miss her. Dan Journo ______________________________________________ Dear Susan, Brian, Kerry, David, Abbie and... little katy! I just wanted to say a huge mazel tov to Kerry, David and all the family on the wonderful arrival of my new little cuz! I can't wait to see her! The reason i'm putting my mazel tov on this website is because i can't stop thinking of it's significance to someone i miss terribly. I found out that Kerry was pregnant at the shiva house. It was as if the world realised that it couldn't cope without Torti and immediately set about creating something that may be fortunate enough to share some of the truly wonderful and inspirational qualities that Torti posessed. I don't think that it is merely coincidence that when someone incredibly special passes away, a baby is born in the family and because i know how special Torti was i know it's no coincedence. The name Katy is taken from Torti's middle name Kate, in a sense the heart of Victoria's name. If Katy has even half the heart that Torti has then she's going to be a very special, very lucky girl. And with a family like the Lynns, i know she will be! MAZEL TOV again to all of you on this very happy occasion. Looking forward to seeing you soon and love you all muchly, Abi F xxxxxx ______________________________________________ To susan, bryan & family. today is my wedding day, and i wanted to write to you to tell you that i will be thinking of victoria today. i would have loved for her to be at my wedding buti know she will be looking down and joining me in spirit. She was such an inspiration and such a memorable person, she lives on in everybodys memories. she set an example to everyone around her to be happy and appreciate what you have. if we follow her example our lives will run smoother. i hope to follow victorias example in my marriage and to be happy, respectful of each other and not to take each other for granted. Victoria didnt take anyone for granted and that it why she was such a special friend. i wish you all mazeltov on your good news and hope you are all well. hope to see you in the near future. nicola warner xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ______________________________________________ I lost my husband to PH 3 weeks ago. we had been married for 35yrs. The Hallamshire were wonderful they allowed me to make his last 3 weeks the best I was able to make them for him I loved him so much and he will always be in my heart and thoughts. I share in your loss. Shirley Bailey ______________________________________________ This is to such a special friend to say she was a great friend to everybody whenever i came into king david high school she would always have a smile on her face she would always cheer me up when i was sad thats why everybody adored her. she was always so thoughtful and friendly and always cared for others whatever the problem was. She is the bestest friend a girl could have we love her with all our heart. Lots of love sara xxxx I will miss u and especially your lovely smile, ______________________________________________ The following is an extract from the Student Chaplain's entry in the Leeds UJS magazine dated 21stNovember 2004 ... This past week has probably been the most difficult week in all our time here in Leeds. Watching as my wife and her family began grieving for the loss of her father was incredibly difficult but the loss of Victoria Lynn was devastating. There are no words of comfort one can say at times like this, the pain is just too great for us all. But rather than focus on the sad and depressing news I think it best to focus on life just as Victoria did. It is moments like this that help us to put life in perspective. What can each of us learn from Victoria? I only knew her for the short time she was here in Leeds but I can say She has taught me how to live. She was alive and lived ever moment to its fullest. She loved life and valued it. She taught me how to keep fighting and never to give up. She also taught me how to smile and enjoy life even when it seems just too much to deal with. What ever you do, find a way to take something wonderful away from the time you had with Victoria; don't just think about but live the lessons she taught us. ______________________________________________ I had the privelidge of knowing Torti through the Manchester Jewish Teenage Centre where I taught her in the mid 90's. She was the most amazing, funny and good natured person I knew. She made other people smile, and her attribute of simcha is something I will always try to emulate. Simon Lader ______________________________________________ MUM & DAD'S LAST CARD GIVEN TO VICTORIA IN HOSPITAL To our Darling Victoria, No - they had plenty of get-well cards, but we thought a Thank you was just as appropriate. You know that we wish you a speedy recovery and once again you must show everyone how STRONG you are. But we also want to say Thank you – for being a most marvellous loving and considerate person and a truly wonderful daughter. You are a most wonderful inspiration to so many people you do not realise what a positive effect you have on the world around you. May you be blessed with many healthier years ahead and may this bout be the end of your times spent in hospital. All our love as ever. G-d Bless you always, A very proud Mum and Dad xxxxx - - - - - - - - - - - - - ______________________________________________ There was a kiddush held in Leeds to celebrate Victorias birthday where many people retold stories about Torti and how we can learn from her and how she was an example to all of us. On the way home memories came flooding back into my head and made me realise how we can learn such a lot from the smallest thing that Victoria did. A personal example for me is my hair, to anyone who knows me I have ridiculously curly hair and it has often been the bane of my life. It was usually quite short but about 4 years ago my friends said to me why dont you grow your hair? so I said ok and now I have these long golden curls. I often compare my hair to marmite because you either love it or you hate it its usually grandmas that tell me how much I must save on perms but Victoria was one of the fans of my hair, in fact I think she was my number one fan. In this generation of hair straighteners,she encouraged me to stick to curl power Whenever she would see me she would get so excited by my hair and by how much it had grown, in fact she would grab my curls and pull them to see how much they had grown which considering my hair is attached to my head was actually quite painful!! Many of you may be reading this and asking what is the point of this story, well I realised last night, that Victorias encouragement about my hair which I had persevered with for so long, often made my day and I realised that Victoria had this effect on so many people. She realised what made people tick, she realised what could bring a smile to their faces. Victoria knew that you dont need huge lavish gestures to make a difference in someones life. In a society thats so driven by the pound its easy for us all to get carried away and forget the important things in life, the things that matter, the things that count. We need to learn from Victorias ways, she was an inspiring an example to all of us; the smallest thing can make such a difference in a persons life, a simple wave, a simple smile. We all want to make a difference in this world in the merit of Victoria, and I believe that we all can, and it doesnt have to be great big achievements, Victoria was very rarely interested in the big things in life, yes Im sure she enjoyed them but I also know that she realised that its often the small unnoticed things that count the most and that can penetrate deeper in ones heartand remember we use more muscles frowning than smilingso go on make someones day smile! Tarryn Balkind ______________________________________________ I have just read a lovely book about a young woman with a heart problem, who appears to be an angel and always feels compelled to help other youngsters, called California Angel by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg and a quote towards the end of the book seems so fitting in relation to Torti. "We'll just pretend you still live there, and we don't see you so often like before. As long as you think a person is close by and safe, you don't have to see them in the flesh". I think this is a beautiful thought that we should all hold onto. Susan Lynn ______________________________________________ Dearest Aunty Susan, Uncle Brian, Kerry, Abbie and grandmas It has taken me a very long time to be able to write something on this site, eventhough i visit it every day. My main problem was how i could possibly put into words my thoughts, feelings and wonderful memories of Torti. How could i describe how just the thought of her made me smile, how to have her as a friend was to be richer than any billionaire, how to know her made me a better person, how i was stronger when she was around. She was the most amazing person and just so much fun!!!!! It might be because we're related but when we were together it was like a danger zone! I didnt think there could be anyone as daft as i was..... how wrong was i! There's so much i want to tell you. Things i'm sure you already know.... when she walked into a room it lit up, everything dull sparkled in her prescence, she was radiant and that is how i'll always remember her. I thank G-d that He made Torti so special, for it is the happy memories of her that keep us going. It was so hard to think of what happened to Torti and not break down and cry but now when i think of her....a massive grin spreads across my face and a warmth that i cannot describe spreads through me.. and i think of how great she was, all the fun we had, the dancing and singing, the vast knowledge of The Sound of Music we shared (i know she was looking down on me sharing my outrage that The Sound Of music was NO.2 on the list of the 100 greatest musicals and not NO.1!!!!!)the walking into things, our love of Barry manilow, all the Kodak moments, her love of her friends, how she could make any of us smile when we were down no matter what she was feeling herself. The list is endless and i know that this is how she would want us all to be, celebrating her life, remembering her in all her glory. Torti was one of my closest friends...I remember being lost in the London Underground. It was the three "kids" at the back.. i.e myself, rachel and torti and typically we got seperated from the "grownups" and of course we didnt know where we were going to or how to get there! And so we did the only thing we knew how,,, we sank down to the floor in absolute hysterics, and although it was certainly not a kodak moment, being stranded in london, Torti whipped out her camera and captured the moment. And thats how she was, every moment was special, the funny side discovered in everything! a friend like her is a gift from Hashem, but she was not only a friend but family, the best cousin anyone could wish for. You can choose your friends but not your family and so i believe that G-d blessed me twice!..... He obviously knew how much i needed her. Torti, you are my hero, i can only paray for the strength and courage you possessed. Thank you for giving me the happiest of memories and i know you would hate me to be down so "i'll simply remember my favorite things and then i wont feel so bad," and so i will remember you, smiling and laughing forever more. Thank you Susan and Brian for giving the world Torti, G-d clearly chose the best people for the honour of being torti's parents and to you, on behalf of Torti's friends, we are eternally grateful. Happy Birthday my beautiful Torti, i love you always, and miss you more than words can say. Abi Finley xxxxxxxxx ______________________________________________ I met Torti at UJS Spring Sem in 2002 and it's been a pleasure knowing her for as long as I did. I have great memories of Julia, Torti, Reb, Abi, Rachel, Sophie and myself dancing around, singing songs from the Sound of Music- she was a fantastic person who made so many people smile and I'm so happy to be one of them. All my love to Torti and her friends and family, Rachel J xxx ______________________________________________ Dear Bryan, Susan, Abby and Kerry Ive been looking at this amazing site since i first heard from everyone in Leeds about it, but it's taken me a while to write as i could never quite pin down what i wanted to say. There is a huge hole in my life that Torti once filled. Eva expressed it so well when she said how lucky and how privileged she feels to have been a part of Vicky's life. Those of us who lived with her in Hillel in our 1st year shared SO many hilarious, amazing, crazy and special times with her that there is no way she will ever be forgotten. It's clear from the thousands of people who loved her how truly inspirational Torti was. My best memories of her will be of us giggling away, her head thrown back in laughter! I will forever miss our secret afternoon trips to starbucks for fraps and the lessons she taught me about courage and strength. May her neshama be lifted through the words of all those who loved her. Torti will always be with me in my heart. My thoughts are with you and all your family, love Dannii Bernstein xx ______________________________________________ Although i only knew Vix for a couple of years, i feel like she has been in my life forever. she was an inspiration to everyone, the most kind hearted person i have ever met. I miss her greatly, but know she will always be with me. Jonathan Temerlies ______________________________________________ I have just sat through a lecture on death and dying and I felt that I had to write something as it was probably the hardest thing I have had to do since victoria`s death. Sitting through that was awful I couldnt help but think of Victoria and the grief felt by her family. I feel so lost without Victoria. She was the one person I was able to rely on the one person who made me laugh even when things were tough. I always used to tell Victoria she was special she used to want to hear that all the time she was special she still is special she used to make me so happy. I dont think I will ever forget some of the things we did going out clubbing till all hours, Jabez clegg and brannigans will never ever be the same agen I dont think I could ever go there again becouse the memories are so strong. Having to walk down Oxford rd everyday is a nitemare because there are so many reminders of her all are good though it just upsets me that I will never do that with her again. Life has changed so much. i feel very different however, I do feel that she is with me and I do talk to her sometimes I dont care how stupid it sounds its the only way I can cope! Victoria has given me inspiration. Hopefully when I qualify I would like to specialise in her condition help other people who are in her situation I am doing this for Victoria and I will achieve it. I found some old birthday cards from her the other day and it upset me so much I thought I was getting over it but I never will. Everyone keeps on tellin me to be strong for Victorias sake it is true to some extent but would she want me to act like nothing happened? I think not I knew Victoria since preschool and there is no way I can get over her in a month she made such a big impact to my life and it is impossible for it to ever be the same again Thankyou Bryan and Susan for giving me the opportunity to know such a beautiful special person she will always be in my heart now and forever I miss her terribly but I know that shes watchin over me with that big huge smile of hers dancin away to some steps track or doin somethin funny all my love forever caroline x x x x ______________________________________________ Dear Bryan, Susan, Kerry and Abbie and Grandmas It has taken a while for me to write to you. I feel so lucky and privilege to have had the opportunity to have been such good friends with Victoria. I am glad that I got to know and care about her so much since I only first meet her when we lived together in Hillel. We had such fun together since the day we meet. Our midnight trips to tesco since we were always hungry after dinner, she loved here cheese salad! I also ways admired her positive attitude, never complaining of her pain. I have learnt so much from an inspirational friend. I will never forget a friend that meant so much to me and that everyone cared about so much. I was amazed what a influence and an impression she could make on people even when just meeting them once. She had such a presence around her, which is truly missed here in Leeds. But I was lucky to have been friends with her if for such a short time. I know that she looks down of us now and can see how much everyone cared for her as she cared for them. I know that what Victoria taught me, true courage, I will always remember. I know how much she loved and talked about her family. Her smiling face will remain in my memory forever. I will never forget my brave friend Victoria. Much love Eva xxxxxxx ______________________________________________ Click here to see some photos of torti taken on 26th of October. I think they show how happy she was to be out partying the night away! I don't really know what to say apart from that she was an amazing person, she brought so much happiness to so many people and no-one will ever forget that. The website is a brilliant idea, i check it often to see what new photos people have put up and what wonderful things people have said about her. I have some more pictures which i will send as soon as i get them loaded up onto my comp. take care, Mel Totton xxxxx ______________________________________________ 5^th December 2003 I feel I must write and put on record just how grateful and overwhelmed Bryan, Kerry, Abbie and I have been, over the last couple of weeks, by all your wonderful messages and tributes to our darling Torti. Our loss has brought unbearable grief, but our hearts are bursting with pride when we read of the amazing things that Torti did for other people. Every parent believes that their child is special, but your messages have brought to light a side of Victoria, which we could barely imagine. She used to complain that she wasn’t talented like her sisters, which we of course strongly denied. We told her that her special gift was to make people laugh and to brighten their days. What more could anyone ask for? Torti had an incredible capacity for love – she used to come home and tell us that she loved this person, or that person. It now seems that that love was reciprocated by everyone she touched. During the week of Shiva so many, many people came to pay their respects and during the following weeks letters and cards have poured in, praising Torti. This website has also been a great help to us, and we hope that it helps Victoria’s many friends to come to terms with our mutual loss by enjoying the tributes and photos which are regularly being added. Our thanks must also go to the Rabbonim from London, Manchester, Sheffield, Glasgow and Leeds who have given us such solace with their words of wisdom, encouragement and support at the funeral, during Shiva and since. To all those young people, who we only met briefly during Shiva, please do get in touch with us – Torti would have liked that so much. Thank you to everybody. Susan Lynn ______________________________________________ What can we say about our cousin Veronica? So sorry 'Big Cousin' Bryan and Susan that we couldn't be there with you but we are thinking about you all the time (and we let you have Ben for the day!) The holiday Victoria spent with us was an eye opener…we have never seen so many clothes (we thought we were going to be the Caesarea branch of M&S) but we really did get to know her and Abbie and enjoyed their company and singing (their 'Yentl' was enough to melt you). Taking her 'out on the town' was also an experience…the Israeli army had a new admirer and they all liked Victoria but couldn't pronounce her name so just called her Veronica. Her sense of style whilst entering the swimming pool was quite unusual. We have never seen anybody swim with their shoes on before. We will all miss her but will never forget the cousin that made such an impression on all of us and everyone else she met. All our love Simon & Karen, Andrew & Caroline, Benjamin & Avivit, Charles and Anat ______________________________________________ A Dedication to Victoria The brightest and most beautiful star, to now and forever, grace our skies. Writing a dedication to my best friend Victoria is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. There is just so much I want to say, and I havent a clue where to begin. Victoria was my best friend, but more than that she was a true inspiration, not only to me, but to everyone who knew her. Over the last ten years, I have seen her grow and change. She moved with the fashions of the times, yet some things always remained the same. Her wonderfully happy disposition, her spirit and ambition, her love of Starbucks hot chocolate, her passion for singing and dancing, and her overall zest for life. Wherever she went she would warm up a room with her big heart, and light it up with her infectious smile. Like a true friend, in times of need she was a rock, despite the fact that often she would be crumbling inside. She had a magical way of making people laugh even though many times she was crying deep down. Loyal and genuine, and fun to be with, Victoria was a friend we were all proud and privileged to have had. Happy go lucky and with a beam on her face, she always took on lifes challenges with courage and optimism. So very brave till the end, she resisted the temptation to ever give up and let herself quit even when her body seemed to be telling her to do just that, Victoria stood tall and proud, laughing in the face of failure. A unique and very special person battling against her lifes hurdles, she was without a doubt a gift to us all. She will always be remembered fondly in all of our hearts and memories, for now she is the brightest most beautiful star, to now and forever, grace our skies. By Nicola Graham ______________________________________________ Torti, I am so glad I had the honour of knowing you. You brought so much happiness and warmth wherever you went. I have so many happy memories of you which will remain close to my heart. You will always make me smile when I think of silly things like Polo's and tissues. You were and always will be an inspiration to people. You had so much courage, you never once complained. I cant remember anytime that you didnt have a smile on your face. Thank you for being such a good friend.You will never be forgotten. All my love Mel xxxx ______________________________________________ Dear Susan, Bryan, Kerry and Abbie, We are so sorry to hear of the tragic passing of Victoria. We will keep with us the happy, wonderful picture of Kerry, Abbie and Victoria, pretty, smiling, happy and dancing together at Simon and Karen's wedding. We hope that the joy of this occasion will gladden your hearts with lovely memories. We send you our sincere wishes and love at this very sad time. Denise and Henry ______________________________________________ SMILER!!! Victoria with her smile so bright To everyone she was a shining light. Making friends wherever she went She brought joy to every event. There were often times when she got low Because she had endured yet another blow. Throughout she was an inspiration to us all Getting back up after every fall. She often encountered so much strife Yet she still had a real love for life. Torti was everyones best friend On her we knew we could always depend. Love and laughter is what she was all about You would never ever hear her shout. Friends and family they all meant so much She was the best at keeping in touch. From Tortis life there are lessons we must heed To live and to love, to give to succeed But most of all to do things with style And whatever you do, make sure you SMILE! Tarryn Balkind ______________________________________________ “Let there be light” Tell me what should you say, what can you say, When a bright shining star, has gone out- gone away. Only twenty years, just into her prime, Taken so young, achieved so much in her time. The tunnel so dark now, no end can you sight, But then just a glimmer, a peek of glorious light. It grows slowly brighter, warmer – behold it’s a grin! And there in your mind, appears Victoria Lynn. A smile, a laugh, eyelashes shyly flutter, A beautiful face, to make your heart melt as butter. Next moment an exuberant child, full of life- full of zest, Seems tireless of joy, never wanting to rest. An emanating warmth, whether she knew you or not, Once having met her, never to be forgot. Torti as she’s known, always chatty and polite, A question, a comment, your spirit to excite. How are you? That’s brilliant! A hug or a sigh, I’ve not seen you for ages, Oh! I love your tie! An endearing smile, a trifle naïve, Caring and feeling, wore her heart on her sleeve. Remember though in pain, she never made you aware, A miracle child, focus of many a prayer. So when life seems unfair, and the burden too much, Remember the girl with the warm loving touch. Enough! Hear her say, don’t shed any more tears, She’d a special soul granted, once in a million years. Take heart from her example, and comfort from her ways, Take warmth from her light, those bright shining rays. Take pride in the knowledge that her brilliant light, Blessed everyone who touched her life- no matter how slight. That piercing light never extinguished, behold never will,

I was very moved by this brave young lady's account of her life, and I sincerely hope the money raised by her autobiography will help find a cure for this disease. My heart goes out to her family and friends whose lives must have a big hole in them because of Victoria's passing.

No matter how many times I write, or how many times we speak, it never seems to truly do justice to Vicky’s memory. She has been on my mind a lot recently, since the stone-setting and after reading some of the newer entries on the website, particularly by Lee and Tarryn. The observations they made about Torti’s being able to see past external beauty into the depths of her friends were so true. She valued everyone not for their looks, but for their inner qualities. That is a rare gift, which she definitely had.

I have also missed her a great deal in the past week, as I know we would both have taken great pleasure in the simultaneous engagements of our very dear oldersiblings! Vicky was one of the few people, I would never have lost touch with after uni, and I still have trouble believing that she is no longer here.

I can only imagine that your great joy at Abbie’s engagement is tinged with sadness that Vicky cannot join in with you. But I have no doubt that wherever her neshama is, it is screaming and jumping with joy that knows no bounds!

I have just finished reading Vicki's book in just two days i could not put it down! She really was an insperation to us all, full of so much goodness. I beleive she will carry on all her good work by people she inspired to do good, by teaching no matter how bad things are going, how tough life is, how down u may feel, if she did it then we can! I will always remember her by that smile that really was so infectious.

My heart goes out to her family and friends, i really think you all gave her that love of life.

When I returned home from the unveiling my head was spinning with many stories and lessons that I learned from Torti’s life. Although I shared some stories at the memorial there was two particular strong stories that I didn’t share which to me have very powerful lessons.

I often remember sitting in sixth form with our group of friends and Victoria would always go on about how “fit” this boy was and how “fit” this or that person on TV was. I remember though one person who she though was particularly fit was her consultant Iain. She would come into the library and in her own unique excited style would say ”oh he’s sooooooo fit”. Being the typical teenage girls that we were, we drew up in our heads what Iain would look like. To me Iain was this tall dark handsome doctor, someone who had just come out of Neighbours or Home and Away. My illusions were shattered when Torti brought in a picture of Iain . The tall dark handsome doctor was in reality quite bald. No offence to any bald men - but you see there is a vital lesson from this that we can all learn.

Far too often in life we are fooled by external appearances but Torti wasn’t fooled. Iain was fit because he had a wonderful personality, an amazing inner beauty that to Victoria shone through and in her eyes Victoria was like this with everyone. She never “judged a book by its cover” she saw past external appearances and had the unique ability to see the beauty of everyone’s neshama. It is a vital lesson that we can all learn, as far too often we judge too quickly and are fooled by external appearances and If only we looked a little bit deeper then we would gain so much more in our lives.

The other short message that I wanted to convey which has previously been mentioned is that everyone really was Victoria’s best friend. It was actually a personal joke between the two of us as whenever I asked her who people were, she would always answer, “they’re my best friend” she really did mean it, everyone was her best friend. Whatever she did, wherever she went she was rarely to be found alone. I remember laughing with her and putting her name in my mobile phone as “loner” simply because of the irony that she never was alone. She truly did live the concept of “love thy neighbour” by example to us all. We should all really look into ourselves and consider what efforts we make with our fellow humans and do we truly make an effort to fulfil the mitzva of “love thy neighbour” If we can all get on and be united with each other then surely this can only strengthen our resolve against other societies of the world who want to see our downfall. Tarryn Balkind

Since the unveiling today, I haven’t been able to turn off the desire to write something to, for and of Tortie. As soon as I started to say something at the Hilton Suite to honour her memory, I felt the inadequacy of everything I was saying and the profound desire to say more to try to express how I feel knowing that ‘Nothing I write is ever good enough’.

I thought that the way in which everyone expressed themselves today was a testament to the girl that was and a beautiful-if tragically transient- way to remember that special young lady.

I never feel too confident expressing my emotions in a public forum. I do so this very early morning in my stream of ramshackle consciousness for a few reasons. I want firstly to reply to an incident that figures greatly in my mind of Tortie; To say something to her that I never said at the time, and regret not saying. I do so also to show and to say how special Tortie was. And I do so, to speak to the wonderful Lynn family in a way that I can’t seem to do face to face.

I want to talk about a time when Tortie wasn’t in positive mood; She wasn’t laughing and she wasn’t smiling. She was being introspective. We were talking about this episode or that and she confided something to me. She said to me-and it truly seems incredible after everything we heard in Shul today, and have heard over the past year, and incredible too because I knew how wonderful Tortie was- that she thought she was incredibly ‘ordinary’. This wasn’t the ordinariness she sought so as to hide the reality of her fragile condition and painful suffering but the ordinariness no one seeks; She said to me that while different people had their special virtues that she didn’t see herself having anything to merit being called special. It was a low ebb for her, and she virtually never spoke like this.

It caught me off guard. I did reply to her but the incident stayed in mind. I felt I muddled a response that should have been expressed better. It has struck me several times this year that I didn’t adequately say to her directly why she was so special, and I have reproached myself for my unsatisfactory answer in my head. So I say this, and I write this to her, knowing she can hear me, and hoping that it honours her memory.

I want to tell her that her ordinariness –her word, never mine- was in no way ordinary; it was mind-bogellingly extraordinary.

Right up to her death, despite what I knew her medical reality to be, I never fully took on board the gravity of her situation. I heard her and others talk about what ailed her, I read her autobiography last summer, and I sometimes saw her pain but it never dawned on me. I never truly realized that my friend might soon pass away. It just seemed too improbable. Victoria as her dad said lived her life; she lived every moment; she exuded life. She chatted, and cackled, and danced and chatted and chatted, and was always there for you. A friend who you wanted to talk to when you were on a high because you knew that she was, more than likely, on a high so that the situation would spiral into mad, giggling chaos. And a friend you wanted to talk to when you were down because you knew that she was, more than likely, on a high so that the situation would not seem as bad; Or because she would put it in her perspective. She would never refer to her illness to lessen your problem but her living through her illness gave Tortie-who was in some ways wonderfully naןve and innocent- an empathetic depth that few possess, and even fewer express in such down-to-earth warmth.

Yes, it might have seemed ordinary to you Tortie to comfort your friends; to be the life and soul of an evening out; to demand we go to Blackpool or wherever; to know everyone in Brannigans; to be surrounded by so many people who admire and adore you but it wasn’t. It was, and is, truly extraordinary on so many levels.

It wasn’t, and isn’t, ordinary to other people. The way she cared for the men at Heathlands in the summer before she passed on wasn’t ordinary. She would tell me what her elderly boyfriends (!) had said to her. She would tell me with joy and complete integrity how they made her smile, and how she made them laugh. She made someone who had no desire to work on a community level –me- delight in the joy she brought to them, and envy the level of joy they brought to her. She truly delighted in their happiness. She had that effect on everyone.

I wish I had told her some of that. And I hope she hears it now. And I hope I can see her smile, and for once accept a compliment that is heartfelt.

I wanted also to say something to Bryan, Susan, Kerry and, of course, Abbie. I love being in your house. There is a joy that fills the place. The anecdotes not just of Tortie’s episodes but also of your own lives engulf you as you enter your home. A Shabbat at your house is filled with warmth and song. Hearing ‘The Van Trapp’ family sing is truly a moment to behold. Feeling the laughter and the integrity is an awesome experience.

You are all very special people in your own right, and I feel privileged to feel so close to you all; Even to being Charlie’s ‘Uncle Lee’. I hope that you continue to have such warmth and laughter in your lives, and that I can share some small part of it.

I put ‘Nothing I ever write is good enough’ for the obvious and less obvious reasons. I couldn’t hope to try and find the magic needed to conjure up something that in anyway encapsulates Tortie’s talents; I wouldn’t even dare try. I just wanted to tell everyone in my own way why I loved Tortie.

To end on a happier note; On a much more Tortie note. The line comes from a Natasha Beddingfield song called ‘These Words’. Tortie lived her life to music. She would have danced the night away to this song, and peeled with laughter when it came on the dancefloor:

I just wanted to say how sorry I am that I won't be there with you tomorrow. My Husband will represent the family. But I will be thinking of you, I'm sure it's not an easy time. I hope you will get comfort and strength from the number of Victoria's friends who I am sure will be there, and gain from the communal remembering.

A year on from Vicky’s death, I somehow felt that it was time to write something on this website. Sitting on the bus today, I was trying to remember all the things that were so wonderful about her and that I have missed so much over the last year. I tried to imagine her sitting next to me on the bus. Excited, happy, caring, kind, and of course – smiling. One of the things so many people have paid tribute to was her wonderful smile – that involved every muscle of her face, lighting up the whole room and everyone in it.

Throughout the short time I knew her - whether we were sitting watching TV in Hillel or out in some cheesy nightclub – that smile never failed to cheer me up. Another thing that always impressed me about Vicky was the way she was never afraid to tell people how she felt about them. She had a way of always making me (and I guess everyone she knew) feel special, loved and wanted. If there was one person I could always count on to be a true friend, it was Vicky. I remember the last time I saw her, on a cold Wednesday afternoon in Leeds last November.

She was bouncing down the road to Jacksons to buy light-bulbs, smiling as always. I will always remember that remarkable spirit, her warm smile and her love of people. There is a saying, I’m not quite sure where it’s from, but it reads “A little light pushes away much darkness”. Vicky’s smile and her wonderful personality were able somehow to push away the tremendous difficulties she faced in life. And similarly if people were moody or fed up, her light could always be relied on to push away the darkness. Though I only knew her for a little over two years, I know that the light she shed will remain with me forever and light up my own life.

Dear Susan, Brian, Kerry, Abbie and the rest of the family, There are so many things in everyday life to remind you of someone so special, so in a way, today is no different from the rest - I just wanted to wish you all well. Victoria lives on in our memories, our stories, in our feelings for her. A year on this website has shown how many people's lives she has touched, that is indelible. I send my love and best wishes to you all, may the future only hold happiness and mazel for you,

Its hard to believe a year has passed since the world lost the most beautiful and kind hearted person. Like everyone else who has tried to put into words just what they wanted to say about Victoria, it has simply been impossible to do justice with words just what a remarkable person she was. The immense impact Vic had on my life and so many others is nothing short of amazing. Vic provided me with wonderful memories of precious and mad times we spent together.

I went through times with Vic that would have crushed most people but times which Victoria faced with a smile followed by a night out! Victoria set such a fine example of living life to the full regardless of all her medical problems that could have stood in her way. For me if I need that little extra strength to get through something tough, I close my eyes and think of Vic smiling and laughing at times when it was extremely difficult for her to do just that. In a sense when I think of her it feels she is still here, still part of my life, my very own guardian angel protecting and watching over me.

If I could have a few moments again with you Vic I would throw my arms around you and say a really big thankyou for letting me be part of your truely magnificent life. I will love and think of you always. I hope we can follow your example of kindness and going that extra mile for other people by making your charity a success by continued fund raising.

Firstly mazal tov on the birth of Katy! I have struggled to find the words to write about Victoria and I think everyone has expressed so well how special she was. I was incredibly fortunate to live with Vic at university we had a wonderful time together throughout uni and sixth form.

She touched my life in so many ways and I was so fortunate to have been so close to her. Victoria was a true friend and a tower of strength as well as always being up for a laugh. I have never met a girl who smiled so much even through her pain she was so selfless. Something which always impressed m Victoria was a girl who everyone knew and loved even if they only met her once she made an impact.

Everyone was her ‘best friend’ and she was always making new friends even the staff at Tesco knew and loved her! Wherever she was she had a presence she would light up the room and always have us in fits of giggles. Another thing I’ll never forget was her ability to dance all night she always managed to get dressed up to go out no matter how she felt you couldn’t stop her partying. Something which Victoria always strived for was to be seen as ‘normal’ but truth be told she was so far past that, she was truly special. She is a tribute to you all. I cannot believe that so much time has gone by since she passed away. I have not stopped thinking of her and there are so many lovely memories.

I hope that everyone remembers how special the people around you are and never to take anyone for granted. I was always told that the years I spend at uni & school would be the best yrs of my life and I know mine were better for knowing Vic and sharing them with her. I hope that everyone continues to fundraise in Victoria’s memory and that we can be as selfless and kind as she was. She set an example of incredibly high standards for us all to follow.

It’s nearly a year since one of my closest friends passed away and I decided it’s about time to put my feelings down on paper and onto the website with everyone else’s. Victoria was always a very good friend to me and at the time when everyone was writing their feels down, I didn’t feel I could. I couldn’t find the words needed to describe such a person as Torti. J

ust as you can’t describe a sunset to a blind person, describing Torti to a person that had never met her is near impossible. Before she passed away I thought she was incredible, and afterwards I discovered how much more she was. The number of people at the funeral just showed exactly what she meant to people and how many lives she’d affected. I spent a lot of time at the shivah house and daily I saw emails from people who’d only met Torti once, but still felt that she made such a difference to them that they had to email or write.

In Judaism, we believe that we have a mission, and once we complete that mission, we have a chance to move on to the next world, to a better world. The place we should be trying to get to every day of our lives. It’s said that we should take every advantage to do a mitzvah because that might be the mitzvah that allows us to move on.

Torti was a very very exceptional person. People travelled from around the country to go to her funeral. There was no room to move. Even people who'd only met her once. People who only knew OF her. She was an amazing person and you could tell without even being close to her. She did so much for so many people, and she did all this with the pain of a medical condition which took her life after so many years. If she hadn't had been such an amazing person, I wouldn't have understood it, but its clear that she completed her mission in life. She was given the chance to move on, and she took it. She knew that people would take her memory, and do amazing things with it! She knew that people wouldn't forget her.

Often the people she helped didn’t even know about her problems and pains and she worked hard at keeping her problems hidden from most people. This was probably because she wanted to be normal in every way but the truth is that someone like that could never be normal. She was so much more incredible than just “normal”. We should all take Victoria’s example and work hard to complete our mission and make the world a better place.

I still don’t feel that I’ve given Victoria the justice she deserves and I could write for months and still not do justice. I am a big believer in the idea that words are limiting. The reason I took so long to put my feelings down is that I didn’t want to sum up one of my closest friends in a page of words. She was more than these 524 words! She was more than a £38 (3 line message in the newspaper!) She was the world and she meant the world to me. There hasn’t been a day where I haven’t thought about her. I miss her.

I just wanted to say a huge mazel tov to Kerry, David and all the family on the wonderful arrival of my new little cuz! I can't wait to see her! The reason i'm putting my mazel tov on this website is because i can't stop thinking of it's significance to someone i miss terribly. I found out that Kerry was pregnant at the shiva house.

It was as if the world realised that it couldn't cope without Torti and immediately set about creating something that may be fortunate enough to share some of the truly wonderful and inspirational qualities that Torti posessed.

I don't think that it is merely coincidence that when someone incredibly special passes away, a baby is born in the family and because i know how special Torti was i know it's no coincedence. The name Katy is taken from Torti's middle name Kate, in a sense the heart of Victoria's name. If Katy has even half the heart that Torti has then she's going to be a very special, very lucky girl. And with a family like the Lynns, i know she will be! MAZEL TOV again to all of you on this very happy occasion. Looking forward to seeing you soon and love you all muchly,

today is my wedding day, and i wanted to write to you to tell you that i will be thinking of victoria today. i would have loved for her to be at my wedding buti know she will be looking down and joining me in spirit. She was such an inspiration and such a memorable person, she lives on in everybodys memories. she set an example to everyone around her to be happy and appreciate what you have. if we follow her example our lives will run smoother. i hope to follow victorias example in my marriage and to be happy, respectful of each other and not to take each other for granted. Victoria didnt take anyone for granted and that it why she was such a special friend.

i wish you all mazeltov on your good news and hope you are all well. hope to see you in the near future.

I lost my husband to PH 3 weeks ago. we had been married for 35yrs. The Hallamshire were wonderful they allowed me to make his last 3 weeks the best I was able to make them for him I loved him so much and he will always be in my heart and thoughts. I share in your loss.

This is to such a special friend to say she was a great friend to everybody whenever i came into king david high school she would always have a smile on her face she would always cheer me up when i was sad thats why everybody adored her.

she was always so thoughtful and friendly and always cared for others whatever the problem was.

The following is an extract from the Student Chaplain's entry in the Leeds UJS magazine dated 21stNovember 2004 ...

This past week has probably been the most difficult week in all our time here in Leeds.

Watching as my wife and her family began grieving for the loss of her father was incredibly difficult but the loss of Victoria Lynn was devastating.

There are no words of comfort one can say at times like this, the pain is just too great for us all. But rather than focus on the sad and depressing news I think it best to focus on life just as Victoria did. It is moments like this that help us to put life in perspective. What can each of us learn from Victoria? I only knew her for the short time she was here in Leeds but I can say She has taught me how to live. She was alive and lived ever moment to its fullest.

She loved life and valued it. She taught me how to keep fighting and never to give up. She also taught me how to smile and enjoy life even when it seems just too much to deal with. What ever you do, find a way to take something wonderful away from the time you had with Victoria; don't just think about but live the lessons she taught us.

I had the privelidge of knowing Torti through the Manchester Jewish Teenage Centre where I taught her in the mid 90's. She was the most amazing, funny and good natured person I knew. She made other people smile, and her attribute of simcha is something I will always try to emulate.

No - they had plenty of get-well cards, but we thought a Thank you was just as appropriate. You know that we wish you a speedy recovery and once again you must show everyone how STRONG you are.

But we also want to say Thank you – for being a most marvellous loving and considerate person and a truly wonderful daughter. You are a most wonderful inspiration to so many people you do not realise what a positive effect you have on the world around you.

May you be blessed with many healthier years ahead and may this bout be the end of your times spent in hospital.

There was a kiddush held in Leeds to celebrate Victorias birthday where many people retold stories about Torti and how we can learn from her and how she was an example to all of us. On the way home memories came flooding back into my head and made me realise how we can learn such a lot from the smallest thing that Victoria did.

A personal example for me is my hair, to anyone who knows me I have ridiculously curly hair and it has often been the bane of my life. It was usually quite short but about 4 years ago my friends said to me why dont you grow your hair? so I said ok and now I have these long golden curls. I often compare my hair to marmite because you either love it or you hate it its usually grandmas that tell me how much I must save on perms but Victoria was one of the fans of my hair, in fact I think she was my number one fan.

In this generation of hair straighteners,she encouraged me to stick to curl power Whenever she would see me she would get so excited by my hair and by how much it had grown, in fact she would grab my curls and pull them to see how much they had grown which considering my hair is attached to my head was actually quite painful!!

Many of you may be reading this and asking what is the point of this story, well I realised last night, that Victorias encouragement about my hair which I had persevered with for so long, often made my day and I realised that Victoria had this effect on so many people.

She realised what made people tick, she realised what could bring a smile to their faces. Victoria knew that you dont need huge lavish gestures to make a difference in someones life.

In a society thats so driven by the pound its easy for us all to get carried away and forget the important things in life, the things that matter, the things that count. We need to learn from Victorias ways, she was an inspiring an example to all of us; the smallest thing can make such a difference in a persons life, a simple wave, a simple smile.

We all want to make a difference in this world in the merit of Victoria, and I believe that we all can, and it doesnt have to be great big achievements, Victoria was very rarely interested in the big things in life, yes Im sure she enjoyed them but I also know that she realised that its often the small unnoticed things that count the most and that can penetrate deeper in ones heartand remember we use more muscles frowning than smilingso go on make someones day smile!

I have just read a lovely book about a young woman with a heart problem, who appears to be an angel and always feels compelled to help other youngsters, called California Angel by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg and a quote towards the end of the book seems so fitting in relation to Torti.

"We'll just pretend you still live there, and we don't see you so often like before. As long as you think a person is close by and safe, you don't have to see them in the flesh".

It has taken me a very long time to be able to write something on this site, eventhough i visit it every day. My main problem was how i could possibly put into words my thoughts, feelings and wonderful memories of Torti. How could i describe how just the thought of her made me smile, how to have her as a friend was to be richer than any billionaire, how to know her made me a better person, how i was stronger when she was around.

She was the most amazing person and just so much fun!!!!! It might be because we're related but when we were together it was like a danger zone! I didnt think there could be anyone as daft as i was..... how wrong was i!

There's so much i want to tell you. Things i'm sure you already know.... when she walked into a room it lit up, everything dull sparkled in her prescence, she was radiant and that is how i'll always remember her. I thank G-d that He made Torti so special, for it is the happy memories of her that keep us going.

It was so hard to think of what happened to Torti and not break down and cry but now when i think of her....a massive grin spreads across my face and a warmth that i cannot describe spreads through me.. and i think of how great she was, all the fun we had, the dancing and singing, the vast knowledge of The Sound of Music we shared (i know she was looking down on me sharing my outrage that The Sound Of music was NO.2 on the list of the 100 greatest musicals and not NO.1!!!!!)the walking into things, our love of Barry manilow, all the Kodak moments, her love of her friends, how she could make any of us smile when we were down no matter what she was feeling herself.

The list is endless and i know that this is how she would want us all to be, celebrating her life, remembering her in all her glory.

Torti was one of my closest friends...I remember being lost in the London Underground. It was the three "kids" at the back.. i.e myself, rachel and torti and typically we got seperated from the "grownups" and of course we didnt know where we were going to or how to get there! And so we did the only thing we knew how,,, we sank down to the floor in absolute hysterics, and although it was certainly not a kodak moment, being stranded in london, Torti whipped out her camera and captured the moment. And thats how she was, every moment was special, the funny side discovered in everything! a friend like her is a gift from Hashem, but she was not only a friend but family, the best cousin anyone could wish for. You can choose your friends but not your family and so i believe that G-d blessed me twice!..... He obviously knew how much i needed her.

Torti, you are my hero, i can only paray for the strength and courage you possessed. Thank you for giving me the happiest of memories and i know you would hate me to be down so "i'll simply remember my favorite things and then i wont feel so bad," and so i will remember you, smiling and laughing forever more. Thank you Susan and Brian for giving the world Torti, G-d clearly chose the best people for the honour of being torti's parents and to you, on behalf of Torti's friends, we are eternally grateful.

Happy Birthday my beautiful Torti, i love you always, and miss you more than words can say.

I met Torti at UJS Spring Sem in 2002 and it's been a pleasure knowing her for as long as I did. I have great memories of Julia, Torti, Reb, Abi, Rachel, Sophie and myself dancing around, singing songs from the Sound of Music- she was a fantastic person who made so many people smile and I'm so happy to be one of them.

Ive been looking at this amazing site since i first heard from everyone in Leeds about it, but it's taken me a while to write as i could never quite pin down what i wanted to say.

There is a huge hole in my life that Torti once filled. Eva expressed it so well when she said how lucky and how privileged she feels to have been a part of Vicky's life. Those of us who lived with her in Hillel in our 1st year shared SO many hilarious, amazing, crazy and special times with her that there is no way she will ever be forgotten. It's clear from the thousands of people who loved her how truly inspirational Torti was.

My best memories of her will be of us giggling away, her head thrown back in laughter!

I will forever miss our secret afternoon trips to starbucks for fraps and the lessons she taught me about courage and strength. May her neshama be lifted through the words of all those who loved her. Torti will always be with me in my heart.

Although i only knew Vix for a couple of years, i feel like she has been in my life forever. she was an inspiration to everyone, the most kind hearted person i have ever met. I miss her greatly, but know she will always be with me.

I have just sat through a lecture on death and dying and I felt that I had to write something as it was probably the hardest thing I have had to do since victoria`s death.

Sitting through that was awful I couldnt help but think of Victoria and the grief felt by her family.

I feel so lost without Victoria. She was the one person I was able to rely on the one person who made me laugh even when things were tough.

I always used to tell Victoria she was special she used to want to hear that all the time she was special she still is special she used to make me so happy. I dont think I will ever forget some of the things we did going out clubbing till all hours, Jabez clegg and brannigans will never ever be the same agen I dont think I could ever go there again becouse the memories are so strong. Having to walk down Oxford rd everyday is a nitemare because there are so many reminders of her all are good though it just upsets me that I will never do that with her again.

Life has changed so much. i feel very different however, I do feel that she is with me and I do talk to her sometimes I dont care how stupid it sounds its the only way I can cope!

Victoria has given me inspiration. Hopefully when I qualify I would like to specialise in her condition help other people who are in her situation I am doing this for Victoria and I will achieve it.

I found some old birthday cards from her the other day and it upset me so much I thought I was getting over it but I never will. Everyone keeps on tellin me to be strong for Victorias sake it is true to some extent but would she want me to act like nothing happened? I think not I knew Victoria since preschool and there is no way I can get over her in a month she made such a big impact to my life and it is impossible for it to ever be the same again

Thankyou Bryan and Susan for giving me the opportunity to know such a beautiful special person she will always be in my heart now and forever I miss her terribly but I know that shes watchin over me with that big huge smile of hers dancin away to some steps track or doin somethin funny

It has taken a while for me to write to you. I feel so lucky and privilege to have had the opportunity to have been such good friends with Victoria. I am glad that I got to know and care about her so much since I only first meet her when we lived together in Hillel. We had such fun together since the day we meet. Our midnight trips to tesco since we were always hungry after dinner, she loved here cheese salad! I also ways admired her positive attitude, never complaining of her pain.

I have learnt so much from an inspirational friend. I will never forget a friend that meant so much to me and that everyone cared about so much. I was amazed what a influence and an impression she could make on people even when just meeting them once. She had such a presence around her, which is truly missed here in Leeds. But I was lucky to have been friends with her if for such a short time.

I know that she looks down of us now and can see how much everyone cared for her as she cared for them. I know that what Victoria taught me, true courage, I will always remember. I know how much she loved and talked about her family.

Her smiling face will remain in my memory forever. I will never forget my brave friend Victoria.

Click here to see some photos of torti taken on 26th of October. I think they show how

I feel I must write and put on record just how grateful and overwhelmed Bryan, Kerry, Abbie and I have been, over the last couple of weeks, by all your wonderful messages and tributes to our darling Torti. Our loss has brought unbearable grief, but our hearts are bursting with pride when we read of the amazing things that Torti did for other people.

Every parent believes that their child is special, but your messages have brought to light a side of Victoria, which we could barely imagine. She used to complain that she wasn’t talented like her sisters, which we of course strongly denied. We told her that her special gift was to make people laugh and to brighten their days. What more could anyone ask for?

Torti had an incredible capacity for love – she used to come home and tell us that she loved this person, or that person. It now seems that that love was reciprocated by everyone she touched.

During the week of Shiva so many, many people came to pay their respects and during the following weeks letters and cards have poured in, praising Torti. This website has also been a great help to us, and we hope that it helps Victoria’s many friends to come to terms with our mutual loss by enjoying the tributes and photos which are regularly being added.

Our thanks must also go to the Rabbonim from London, Manchester, Sheffield, Glasgow and Leeds who have given us such solace with their words of wisdom, encouragement and support at the funeral, during Shiva and since.

To all those young people, who we only met briefly during Shiva, please do get in touch with us – Torti would have liked that so much.

So sorry 'Big Cousin' Bryan and Susan that we couldn't be there with you but we are thinking about you all the time (and we let you have Ben for the day!)

The holiday Victoria spent with us was an eye opener…we have never seen so many clothes (we thought we were going to be the Caesarea branch of M&S) but we really did get to know her and Abbie and enjoyed their company and singing (their 'Yentl' was enough to melt you).

Taking her 'out on the town' was also an experience…the Israeli army had a new admirer and they all liked Victoria but couldn't pronounce her name so just called her Veronica.

Her sense of style whilst entering the swimming pool was quite unusual. We have never seen anybody swim with their shoes on before.

We will all miss her but will never forget the cousin that made such an impression on all of us and everyone else she met.

The brightest and most beautiful star, to now and forever, grace our skies. Writing a dedication to my best friend Victoria is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. There is just so much I want to say, and I havent a clue where to begin. Victoria was my best friend, but more than that she was a true inspiration, not only to me, but to everyone who knew her. Over the last ten years, I have seen her grow and change. She moved with the fashions of the times, yet some things always remained the same. Her wonderfully happy disposition, her spirit and ambition, her love of Starbucks hot chocolate, her passion for singing and dancing, and her overall zest for life. Wherever she went she would warm up a room with her big heart, and light it up with her infectious smile. Like a true friend, in times of need she was a rock, despite the fact that often she would be crumbling inside. She had a magical way of making people laugh even though many times she was crying deep down. Loyal and genuine, and fun to be with, Victoria was a friend we were all proud and privileged to have had. Happy go lucky and with a beam on her face, she always took on lifes challenges with courage and optimism. So very brave
till the end, she resisted the temptation to ever give up and let
herself quit even when her body seemed to be telling her to do just that, Victoria stood tall and proud, laughing in the face of failure. A unique and very special person battling against her lifes hurdles, she was without a doubt a gift to us all. She will always be remembered fondly in all of our hearts and memories, for now she is the brightest most beautiful star, to now and forever, grace our skies.

Torti,

I am so glad I had the honour of knowing you. You brought so much happiness and warmth wherever you went. I have so many happy memories of you which will remain close to my heart. You will always make me smile when I think of silly things like Polo's and tissues. You were and always will be an inspiration to people. You had so much courage, you never once complained. I cant remember anytime that you didnt have a smile on your face. Thank you for being such a good
friend.You will never be forgotten.

All my love Mel xxxx

We are so sorry to hear of the tragic passing of Victoria. We will keep with us the happy, wonderful picture of Kerry, Abbie and Victoria, pretty, smiling, happy and dancing together at Simon and Karen's wedding. We hope that the joy of this occasion will gladden your hearts with lovely memories. We send you our sincere wishes and love at this very sad time.

SMILER!!!

Victoria with her smile so bright
To everyone she was a shining light.
Making friends wherever she went
She brought joy to every event.
There were often times when she got low
Because she had endured yet another blow.
Throughout she was an inspiration to us all
Getting back up after every fall.
She often encountered so much strife
Yet she still had a real love for life.
Torti was everyones best friend
On her we knew we could always depend.
Love and laughter is what she was all about
You would never ever hear her shout.
Friends and family they all meant so much
She was the best at keeping in touch.
From Tortis life there are lessons we must heed
To live and to love, to give to succeed
But most of all to do things with style
And whatever you do, make sure you SMILE!

Tarryn Balkind
______________________________________________

Victoria Kate Lynn - "Torti"