Joy and Allen Barton

Joy Barton, 79, describes her husband of 55 years as her “soul mate, best friend, love and joy of my life”.

Joy’s husband Allen died in 2006, after a series of “ministrokes” which began in 2004. Joy says that because of the help, support, research and advice she received from the National Stroke Foundation she enjoyed two and a half years with her husband and best friend that she would not otherwise have had.

“We had 60 years together, and were married for 55 years,”Joy says. “The help of the research done by the NSF was phenomenal. We got such a lot of help and support – diet, regime of exercise for a couple of years, everything we needed to know about stroke. Everyone knows about a heart attack, but stroke is brain attack and we were able to learn about that.”

Joy’s dream was to hold an 80th birthday party for her beloved Allen – which they were able to have together. Allen Barton died from a massive stroke exactly one month after that party. Joy firmly believes that without NSF support the couple would not have had that special day. Joy has left a bequest to the organisation she credits with the last few happy years she had with her husband.

“He was the most extraordinary person, the love of my life, the joy in my life.” In 2009 Joy joined the Stroke Foundation’s David Brownbill  Society by leaving a gift in her will to support the Foundation’s
continuing work to combat stroke. As a member of the Society, she enjoys the opportunity to attend regular functions to listen to interesting speakers and hear more about the valuable work of the Foundation. It also provides a chance to catch up with other members and meet new people.

“The education and research by the Stroke Foundation was crucial in the management of my late husband’s quality of life after a series of mini strokes, preventing a more serious stroke and allowing us to celebrate his 80th birthday – a joyous event. I was more than happy to make a bequest to this very valuable organisation in Allen’s memory.”

If you would like more information about leaving a bequest to the Stroke Foundation or attending a David Brownbill Society function in your area, please contact our Donor Liaison team on 1300 194 196.