Andrea joined SI Bristol in 1981 and was a keen Soroptimist being President 1987/88 and serving as a very conscientious and efficient Treasurer for a number of years.
In 2016 she received her 35 year certificate at one of our regular luncheons. She kept up with all our events and had hoped to join us for Annual lunch this year, which was cancelled owing to the snow. Sadly Andrea died on 13th March Southmead Hospital.
Andrea was born in Devonport and later moved to Kingsteignton she was always very proud of her Devonshire roots. After school she went to College in Leicester studying youth work, moving, with a lifelong friend Monica, to Norfolk. She then moved West to work at Withywood youth centre as assistant leader, before a short spell at Bristol Polytechnic. Her final job was Accommodation and welfare officer at Bristol University. This was very hard work and she would spend hours going from house to house trying to fix up accommodation for the students. This very taxing work took its toll on her health & she was encouraged her to retire early. She spent the first few years of retirement enjoying her passion for travel and catching up with friends and family.
Then in 2004 her life changed when she woke one morning with dysphasia & paralysis of her right side.
With determination she became mobile and moved, with the help of her friends,
from her home in Knowle to sheltered housing in Henleaze. She enjoyed being supported by Lynda, her friend and carer, who drove her round helping to give her a wider quality of life. Unfortunately several years ago Andrea slipped from her wheel chair whilst at the Stroke cub fracturing her good wrist, and spent 6 frustrating weeks in the Bristol General Hospital, sadly never regaining her original mobility. She never complained even when intensely frustrated by her inability to express herself and make us understand her wishes.
Andrea had an amazing interest in other people’s holidays asking for an itinerary and a map so that although trapped in her flat, she could follow her friends enjoying their travels around the World
Despite everything she had a great sense of humour, my/our respect for her will continue and we will miss her very much