Memories of Rebecca Forster

With great sorrow we learnt that Rebecca Forster, a dedicated team member here at BSA for 14 years, sadly passed away last week. Rebecca was much valued firstly as secretary and later the administrator until her retirement in 2005. In this tribute, former Chief executive Norbert Lieckfeldt remembers her fondly.

After I attended my first Open Day at the BSA in 1992 I mulled over the offer of the then Director, Peter Cartwright, to become an office volunteer for a few weeks. Picking up my courage (and my severe stammer) I eventually knocked on the BSA's office door on the 1st floor at St Margaret's House in Bethnal Green and Rebecca opened it. Peter wasn't there, she told me, but she took in my nervousness, smiled and said I'd be welcome to come back when Peter was in the office to discuss volunteering.

She was a sweet gentle spirit and helped many people who stammer by being the rock of the charity.

(Christine Simpson, BSA Trustee)

I'm struggling to capture Rebecca's essence in a short article. We worked together closely for so many years. 

Rebecca seemed quiet and shy; she had a hesitant telephone voice which led to many compliments about how well she managed her stammer(!) when actually she didn't have one. 

She had a beautiful and empathetic manner with everyone who called the office, whatever their concerns – adults who stammer, distraught mums of stammering children – she spoke with them all.

There aren't many photographs of Rebecca as she didn't like to be snapped so the one above from Christmas 2018 is a real gift.

Bless Rebecca for all the differences she made.

(Jan Anderson, former BSA Scotland Development Manager)

She was one of the hardest workers I have ever come across – there were no breaks, lunch or otherwise, for Rebecca. She came in, she grafted, she went home (eventually). I remember having to twist her arm to take her annual leave allowance. 

When I moved from helpline volunteer to administrator to Director, Rebecca was the rock I could rely upon. There were things that needed doing that I didn't need to worry about because I knew Rebecca would do them. At that point I wouldn't have lasted three months without her loyalty, solidity and support, and neither would the charity.

Over the years we've had some rough times at BSA and many, many changes – but Rebecca was the single, permanent unchanged feature in our landscape.

She was always so helpful and positive. She was always pleased to see you and had a great smile.

(John Russell, long-standing BSA member)

Rebecca was a very private person (remember, few photographs!). I don't know much about her, her family or her background. She came to the UK from the Gambia where her grandmother was the first black woman to be headmistress of a secondary school. She had family who worked in the Gambian diplomatic service. She came from an academic family and believed in the value of education: "It's Doctor Trudy on the phone for you." 

Rebecca came to work for BSA from a family transition and she still had Haddy, her youngest daughter, living with her. Haddy sometimes came to the office after school and we were surprised to find Rebecca a stern, no-nonsense mum! 

She was such a gentle and kindly soul who was so helpful at the BSA to staff and members. Rebecca always looked on the bright side, she was so much loved.

(Cherry Hughes, former BSA Education Officer)

Times were hard for her initially, but she eventually found her feet and a home in Hoxton shortly after joining BSA, where she lived for over 20 years. She made the most of her situation and made things better for her family.

She stuck with BSA during all our regular financial crises and took them in her optimistic spirit: "There's always a crisis around Christmas." 

I'll always remember Rebecca as unfailingly kind and gentle. The world will be a poorer place without her.

(Rachel Everard, former BSA Chair and Service Director)

Rebecca just kept on working, doing what needed doing without fail, without mistake, in her unmistakable handwriting. Handwriting was important, much more important than these new-fangled machines, those infernal computers. She never quite trusted those over a good, handwritten note.

When Rebecca finally retired (and left us bereft) she continued to work part-time for a GP practice – WITH PAPER RECORDS! No computers, only handwriting and paper! 

After her retirement, we could look forward to her annual visits to the office with big tins of Christmas chocolates as well as stories of pride in her grandchildren – I have this week found two memories in my Facebook feed about the plenty she supplied us with. She seemed happy, content and at peace.

I went to a quiet corner at work after Haddy got in touch last week with the bad news and shed some tears. The world is a poorer place without Rebecca in it, and she will always have a very special place in my memories and those of many others.