HER FIRST MOMENT WAS HER WORST MOMENT
Patricia was born in Spalding, Lincolnshire. Her father, Rudolf, was a Headteacher and her mother, Jessie Binnie, was a homemaker.
She grew up in East Grinstead in Sussex.
After she left school, Patricia joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) as a secretary.
Her first posting was to Madrid in Spain – a country she had never been to before. After that, Patricia was sent to Romania – and then Trinidad. She loved all three places and made many friends.
In 1974, after fifteen years’ service, Patricia was promoted to the FCO Inspectorate, and paid visits to British diplomatic missions around the world. It meant short stays everywhere – but she just loved seeing many places and experiencing different cultures.
In the early 1980s, Patricia was promoted again – this time to the British embassy in Paris, as their Press Officer.
Her first press conference was extremely tricky. Patricia was quizzed at great length by French journalists over the British governments treatment of IRA prisoners. She always said her first moment was her worst moment.
Patricia returned to London in 1982 to care for her aging parents. She took up a new role as the manager of the FCO’s Diplomatic Service Wives Association – supporting families around the world and giving help and advice to those in the Diplomatic Corps. She gained a reputation for being kind, helpful and supportive.
Patricia worshipped at St Martins-in-the-Field.
Both her parents died in 1986, so Patricia moved into their home in Winchelsea, Sussex.
She retired three years later and retrained as a counsellor. She worked in Hastings helping people on low incomes.
Patricia led a team that applied for a grant from the National Lottery to set up the Hastings and Rother Counselling Service. It initially operated from rented premises and was forced to exist on minimal expenses and running costs.
The organisation was renamed ‘Counselling Plus’ in 2012, and became an official part of the care services of East Sussex. Patricia remained a trustee but stepped down after ten years’ service.
Patricia received an award for her lifetime’s work, from Hastings Voluntary Action.
She filled her retirement with many other activities including being an usher at the Globe Theatre in London, and a guide at Henry James’ former home, Lamb House, in the nearby town of Rye.
Patricia was also a member of the Winchelsea PCC (Parochial Church Council).
Eventually, Patricia moved into residential care at Old Hastings House in Hastings, where she died.
Counselling Plus continues supporting vulnerable people and families.
RIP –Repelling International Press
