Charlotte Bevan

Charlotte did not like a fuss, but when pressed she agreed on this bio statement:

Charlotte Bevan is the youngest of three, the mother of two and the wife of a farmer, but definitely not a farmer's wife.  She left school with barely a qualification to her name at 18, trained as a Personal Assistant before the position really existed, took to computers in 1984 and ended up by chance working in Corporate Finance in the City  (London) during the late '80's and early 90's.   She gave up all the glamour to get married and have children in 1994 and has done very little of any consequence since, except for the 5 years when she founded and owned Bushes Brew, a small bespoke company, making fruit infused vodka, gin and whisky.

She lived in Suffolk, UK, with her childhood sweetheart, Christopher, and her two daughters, Emily and Georgie.  She enthusiastically "advised" her husband and brother-in-law James on farming matters and was, until her diagnosis, the farm secretary/ accountant/PAYE clerk and dogsbody.  

She adored dogs, people and the countryside, trashy novels, Damien Lewis, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, cups of tea and Christmas. Her great pleasure was connecting people to other people with whom they have something in common or something that she felt they should share.

But those of us who knew her have more to say:

For the past several years Charlotte has been an urgent, vocal, and very personal advocate for families facing eating disorders. She served as a volunteer, mentor, forum moderator, and board member for F.E.A.S.T. for several years, gaining a reputation as a wise and witty leader. She worked with Janet Treasure's team at The Maudsley Hospital's Eating Disorders Team on training and publications. BBC and the Daily Telegraph interviews, which she held with her daughter, reached countless families, bringing them much-needed modern information on eating disorders. In a partnership with Mary G., Charlotte produced a popular online series of animated videos for parents. Charlotte's blog, Chatting and Chuntering -- which explores parenting teens, mental health concerns, and her experience with breast cancer -- enjoyed an avid readership around the world. 

On November 4, 2013, Charlotte was awarded the 3rd Annual Magic Plate Award for Advocacy by the international parent's group, F.E.A.S.T. 

An active member of the digital world, Charlotte embodied the idea of "networking" and the necessity for humor in all circumstances, including mortality.

She is sorely missed.

When she knew she had only months to live, she asked us to "keep the Charlotte flag waving." She also said "you can do this without me." 

We will try, Charlotte. We will try.

In memoriam

Charlotte Bevan, fierce advocate and activist, died at home January 13, 2014. Her friends and family mourn her loss and commit to carrying on her legacy.