With much regret we report the passing, on 1 April, of Pauline Gallagher who was for almost three years our valued Membership Secretary. Both she and her late husband Patrick had been keen and diligent members for several years.
Pauline was the star actress of the U3A (reading) drama group Drama & Voice Art, the leader of the New Books in the Library course and an enthusiastic contributor to the Current Affairs group.
When lockdown came four years ago Pauline quickly signed up to a Zoom licence. The group then was about 14 people; mainly somewhat older ones living alone and lockdown sorely had disrupted their community lives. The day they saw each other again on (mainly cellphone) screens using Zoom to discuss the various books, some of the group were immediately moved to tears. That experiment was a huge success.
The loss of Patrick two years ago was a huge blow and it marked the start of a very challenging period in Pauline’s health. Nonetheless she soldiered on with her courses and was forever upbeat in difficult times. Her book group increased in popularity and the range of subjects it examined continued to be impressive. It was not till the end of the year that Pauline went into care having relinquished the Membership Secretary role three or so months earlier.
U3A members continued to visit her on a regular basis and she was much bucked up by that. Despite many painful afflictions Pauline always remained stoically cheerful telling potential visitors, via her family, to come along. “She loves a visit” was the constant message.
Pauline was a very brave lady. She, and her intellectual and organisational talents, will be hugely missed by an organization that owes her much.
