In Memoriam

I have very recently lost a friend to death. A was only my age, and that makes the chill winds of mortality blow stronger.

Despite a clear intelligence, A belonged to probably the last generation of women to be prevented and discouraged by their families from education and a career. She married very young, and had two daughters. Nursing, which she would have liked to pursue, was no longer a practicable choice, so once the girls were grown, she became an untrained Care Assistant. And I am sure she was a good one.

I met her through the voluntary work we both did. By this time A had embarked on a University career, which was sadly cut short by increasing ill-health. Not discouraged, she threw herself into the voluntary work, accepted further training, and by her own efforts raised literally thousands of pounds for charity.

She was about to commence a new career when the illness took hold, and this time it would not be denied. A died peacefully with her family. She leaves a loving husband, two daughters and a grandchild. She was a good woman, wife, and mother, and a good friend. She will be much missed.