Dear Mark, David, Dan and Jennie,
We were really sorry to receive the news of Mandy’s passing. Even though not unexpected the loss of a partner and parent leaves a gap, which it is never possible to refill.
You will undoubtedly receive many tributes for the outstanding person that she was. My contacts with her were obviously via FRS and with that hat on I can say that without her stepping in to lead the synagogue at a particularly difficult time and guiding it through that period, there is every possibility that the synagogue would have finished up in a much diminished and demoralised state. The patience and understanding she brought to her time as chair of FRS ensured that the synagogue retained a base from which it has been able to grow to its present healthy position. I know when she first took on the role she had to deal with quite a lot of personal animosity from some sources, which she did not allow to distract from what she knew to be her calling.
Meeting Mandy, even in the last few years, was always a pleasure. She made light of her own situation and was always more concerned with my wellbeing and that of my family.
The last few years must have been really hard for all of you. We just hope that the support you receive from family and friends will be of some comfort to you at this sad time and that in the fullness of time you are able to look back on wonderful memories of your life together.
With our sincerest condolences and sympathy,
Joy and Brian