My sister lived life to the max - she made a difference. 

Carolyn was a much loved wife, mother, sister, friend and passionate advocate for those in need human - or animal!  In her professional life Carolyn was a highly talented, empathetic homeopathic-based practitioner who combined her considerable skills to the benefit of many.

In the beginning...  Carolyn was a Seadon, the youngest of three sisters but also an older sister to our brother Gary.  A family position from where she quickly learned that charm, cunning and wit went hand in hand with never step back (unless you have another plan in reserve).  Life lessons to which she added kindness and intelligence and we all (mostly) danced to her tune - including mum and dad.  As a teenager she managed for example to be driven to events by our rather taciturn father.  The rest of us would have been told to walk or catch a bus!

Our father and mother, and their parents before them, were all country people from around Bishopsbourne in Tasmania - independent, forthright, practical, hard working and, with a robust sense of humour.  When life threw up a problem then it was up to you to deal with it.  Inherited characteristics it would seem?!

Carolyn always believed (whether one was experienced - or not) if something needed repairing, painting/decorating, flat pack assembled... and her father could have done it so could she - and mostly she did!  She had a great personal style and a talented decorator's eye.

Growing up (and into adulthood) we both shared a love of and were inspired by comic book and movie heroes, such as the Phantom... The Great Escape (particularly Steve McQueen), The Magnificent Seven, Star Wars (Luke, Han and Leia) and many more.  Plus we could both cry profusely at quiet heroism whether in real-life or books such as Anne of Green Gables.

From her earliest years Carolyn could not stand bullies, or seeing mistreatment or neglect at any level.  She could be fierce and/or charming in order to bring about a result she saw as necessary.  One could not have a better warrior - or sister on or by your side.

Over the decades Carolyn assisted many charitable causes which included rescue dogs, in particular King Charles Spaniels with a number becoming 'extended fur family' - and much cherished companions.  Taking Oscar and Charlie for walks when we visited was always a great way to get to know the neighbourhood - the dogs certainly knew every corner worthy of a sniff!

The Festa garden over the years was not only full of beautiful plants and crafted water features but also provided food and sanctuary for the local wildlife from birds and squirrels to frogs and foxes.  Whenever my husband Jim (her Australian gardener) and I stayed, multiple visits to RHS-Wisley as well as garden shows such as Chelsea and Hampton Court were always top of the agenda.  Many happy hours were spent at garden centres as well as the local DIY which we rarely left without a fabulous assortment of new plants and building materials.

We all loved our mum who was quite bereft when dad died suddenly (1986) while staying in the UK with Carolyn and Gary.  Over the following years Carolyn always made time to ring, send cards and letters to mum which were eagerly received.  Her many kindnesses were much appreciated as was her humour and sense of the ridiculous.  When Carolyn returned to stay with mum from time to time (and I lived 200km away in Hobart) we still managed to co-ordinate so both of us could live in-house with mum at the weekend.  We laughed, danced and teased her... we also watched fav.videos and sang opera 'at' her (she loved Mario Lanza) - silliness was mandatory, and infectious!

As mum's health and wellbeing deteriorated markedly Carolyn worked tirelessly to send remedies that could help.  Mum had such faith in Carol's abilities she took tablets and potions no one else could have persuaded her to take.  Carolyn did not have the long life of our mother, but she too had a loving and supportive family around her as her own long health/cancer journey ate into her life - her resilience was simply amazing.

Although always a 'Seadon'. Carolyn did succumb to the charms of, and married, Gary Festa.  Four amazing decades together not only produced two very talented and independent daughter, Carly and Julia, but two beautiful grandchildren.

As the last three-plus years of her life became the most challenging and debilitating, particularly with speech often difficult, we were luckily still able to talk at times.  Phoebe was her golden ray of sunshine poppet who helped to light up her life. (I could not easily count the number of photos and videos I received over those years!)  Carolyn hung on and then, last December a seriously bonny 'Christmas' baby arrived - the adorable Rory.  She loved her family dearly.

What a legacy!  So many hearts to continue to live in!  Family, friends, colleagues, clients... across continents.  I am certainly proud to have been her sister.

Bronilyn