Thank you so much to everyone who has given with such generosity in memory of Charlotte. We, her friends, are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for her. We are also very grateful to Charlotte's family, who knew Charlotte as Ron or Dad, for their kindness in allowing us to host this campaign. It has been a fitting tribute to a life lived to the full, with kindness, fellow-feeling, adventure and courage.

It is with an immense sense of loss that we announce the death of our dear friend Charlotte, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, 7th April, aged 89. Charlotte was introduced to St Mary's in 2016 by our friendship-café partners, Time to Talk Befriending, and quickly became one of the most loved and inspirational members of our community. She was fun, witty, glamorous and always sparkling. She was also immensely courageous and caring and had a real knack for drawing people to her and making them feel comfortable in themselves. She was deeply grateful for people's friendship and and found it very hard to believe that she herself gave so much back, completely underestimating her gifts to us of gutsiness and spirit, hope and learning.

Charlotte's funeral is on Monday, 27 April. Because of the coronavirus lockdown, only Charlotte's immediate family are able to attend, though members of St Mary's will be meeting online for prayers at the time of the service, and we will host a memorial service for her at St Mary's when we are able to open to the public again. With the blessing of Charlotte's family, we are taking a collection in her memory, which will be shared between the two charities closest to Charlotte's heart: Time to Talk Befriending and St Mary's.

If anyone would like to give something in cash or by cheque, rather than electronically, please contact Katherine on khpriorATgmail.com

Farewell, dear Charlotte. Life at St Mary's will not be the same without you. We will miss you so much. May you rest in peace and rise in glory.