She was both loved and valued by her ordained colleagues, but equally was loved by the people she served within and beyond the Church. She was in many senses an old fashioned parish priest who loved the Church of England, its worship and its people.
Bishop Mike celebrates the life and ministry of Revd Carol Stone, who died on 27 December 2014.
After taking her first degree at Leicester University, Carol went on to train for ordained ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge, studying at Queens College for her BA in theology. She was ordained as a priest in 1979andhad a varied and diverse ministry.
After serving her first curacy in Bradford on Avon, she served briefly as an incumbent before becoming school chaplain at Dauntseys School in Devizes and then Vicar of Studley from 1989-1994. She then, for a short time, became Chaplain at Cheltenham College before coming to the Diocese of Bristol in 1996 when she became Vicar of Upper Stratton in Swindon. Since 2006 she has also beenPriest in Charge of Penhill.
Carol was a diligent, thoughtful and compassionate parish priest. She was both loved and valued by her ordained colleagues, but equally was loved by the people she served within and beyond the Church. She was in many senses an old fashioned parish priest who loved the Church of England, its worship and its people. She also served in a voluntary chaplaincy role at Swindon College where her ministry was equally valued. It could truly be said that her ministry spanned all age groups.
She was a great dog lover, in particular her beloved Airdale Terriers. She would always be happy to update anyone on the health of her favourite dog, Herbie, sadly now deceased.
Throughout her illness she was brave, though sometimes in discomfort. Typical of Carol, she was always more concerned about others and their inconvenience in caring for her than she was for herself. In these last few days she was thankful for her visitors and the staff at Prospect Hospice in Wroughton.
Following a short illness, Carol went to be with the Lord she loved and served on 27 December.
She will be hugely missed in her parishes and by the many people to whom she ministered over the years. She will also be missed by her daughter, Frances and her wider family and by her very close friends, Elaine and Lynne, Andy and Dave ('Team Carol').
May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
+Mike
Bishop of Bristol
Carol Stones funeral will be at Christ Church, Old Town, Swindon on Monday 26 January at 12pm, followed by a burial and reception at the Community Centre @ Christ Church. All are welcome.