It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Heather Ward, our long-standing Trustee and an extraordinary advocate for Mary Frances Trust.
Heather has been an integral part of our journey since the very beginning, playing a pivotal role in the foundation of our charity. Her unwavering commitment to the people we support and her tireless work to ensure their voices were heard have been a source of inspiration to us all.
Heather’s warmth, wisdom, and dedication to our mission have left a permanent mark on Mary Frances Trust and on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
This is a significant loss for our organisation and our community. Heather’s legacy will live on through the work we continue to do, guided by the values she embodied.
Let us remember Heather for the incredible person she was and the difference she made in so many lives.
Heather in her own words
When we developed our new website in 2020, we asked all our Trustees to explain why they chose to dedicate their time and talent to our organisation. Although Heather became a Trustee long before then, she wrote a wonderful message which we wanted to share again, as it clearly shows her compassion, kindness and complete belief in our mission. This is what she wrote:
“While I was a local Councillor representing Leatherhead North on Mole Valley District Council, I met one of my constituents, who told me he was suffering depression. I visited him in hospital and as a result became determined to improve services in our area. I joined a small group, which of course included Mary and Frances, and we set up the Leatherhead Clubhouse, with the guidance and expertise of our first CEO, Ben Collins.
It was very exciting to see how the Clubhouse members grew and flourished with the support they received from staff and from each other. Some of them were able to move back into employment and all of them found new opportunities to exercise their talents.
Since then, the services people receive and the way they are treated by the statutory services have changed, mostly for the better, and, in turn, we have had to change the services we offer but we have stayed true to the core values behind what we do. For me, the priority is always that we treat the people we work with, with respect, and that we enable them to make their own choices and decisions.
I am enormously proud of the Mary Frances Trust. Our staff have adapted to new circumstances with resourcefulness and skill. Our Board members have had to reinvent the Trust in a challenging financial climate, while never failing to be good humoured and positive at our regular meetings and in-between times. Long may the MFT flourish!”
Remembering Heather
Heather’s funeral will take place on Thursday 16 January 2025. The funeral is open to all. If you would like to attend and pay your respects, please email us at communications@maryfrancestrust.org.uk and we will share the funeral details with you.
Heather’s family have requested no flowers but are instead encouraging donations to Mary Frances Trust in memory of Heather. If you would like to donate, please visit our Donations page.
