In remembrance of Mary Patricia Patrick
*This obituary was submitted by Mary’s son, Michael Patrick
Mary Patricia Patrick, née Herron 1926 - 2022
Mary, who died on 11th December 2022 aged 96, enrolled at Central in 1943. The school was at that time occupying rooms within the blacked-out Royal Albert Hall, and Mary’s intake included future actors Joss Ackland and Wendy Craig. On graduation in 1946, Mary was one of the first alumni with a diploma in the new discipline of speech therapy. This was a source of great pride and Mary retained an interest in Central throughout her life.
Mary was born in Hooton on the Wirral Peninsular. Her great grandfather had founded a Liverpool-based merchant shipping line. She spent her childhood at Park Gate, where her father, a stockbroker, acquired Bleak House, a family home built by Aubrey Thomas, architect of the Liver Building. The family moved south in 1938.
Following her studies at Central, Mary worked for Portsmouth Education Committee from 1946 to 1949. The town had been blitzed during WW2. Mary encountered traumatised children and widespread deprivation. She toured the schools, assessed children and treated those in need. She was praised for her diligence and application.
Mary was married in 1950 and had a son, Michael. She subsequently worked part-time as a speech therapist for Surrey County Council but resigned due to ill health caused by the breakdown of her marriage. She moved to London, trained as a teacher and taught English as a foreign language, providing one-to-one coaching. One pupil and later friend was Anna Majani, principal of the Bologna-based chocolatiers.
In 1982 Mary moved to Manningtree, Essex, where she cultivated a wide circle of friends. She was a long-time secretary of the Manningtree Society and of the Manningtree Rail Users Association. For 15 years she provided part-time reading assistance at Highfields Primary School.
Mary died peacefully at Mistley Manor care home.