Stella Gheury de Bray

Stella thank you for 35 years of love and friendship. We will miss you enormously. Arriving from South Africa in 1988, you and your late Mum Mary embraced our family, as we, yours. It was so lovely to see Mary and my maternal Granny, Nora, as sisters reunited. You will also leave a big hole in our family as Godmother to our daughter Imogen, now aged 16. We have had so many fun times together; Olympics parties and spectators, pub lunches, mini-breaks in UK, picnics and spa retreats. I feel truly blessed to have had you in my life and have wonderful memories to draw upon. The photo I have uploaded is now 12 years old, and no doubt Imogen won’t thank me for it now she is a teenager – but it is a beautiful one of you both. Rest In Peace, dear Stella. With love from Lara, Alex and Imogen Strickland.

Dearest Stella, Thank you for all of your kindness and love. You and Mary opened your home and your hearts to me throughout my years as an undergraduate in Brighton. During that time I was very sad and lonely as we hadn’t long emigrated from South Africa. My parent’s home in Torquay was too far away for regular visits. But you made me feel so welcome each time I stayed with you and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. You supported me and I shall never forget that. We had many laughs and lots of fun. We had plenty of lovely long days out and you always prepared wonderful picnics. We both enjoyed it that the other was a vegetarian as it was fairly uncommon in those days. You introduced me to places like Runnymede and the wonderful autumn leaves at Burnham Beeches. Your poodles Jason and Imp would join us on every adventure. I treasure those memories. More recently Matt and I introduced you to the word game Sedecordle. You enjoyed playing it and we would exchange ideas and our mutual frustrations. Although my sister’s and I have no cousins, you made it feel otherwise. You made an undoubtedly positive impact on my life and I am sure I am not alone in feeling the gift of your love. I have attached a photo from my Graduation Day. You and Mary were so proud. We will miss you Stella. Love from Catherine xxx

Stella, you are forever imprinted in some of my fondest memories, all of which are linked throughout over 30 years with the Richmond Shakespeare Society. You were ever present throughout my childhood days with the RSS, giving warm hugs and an abundance of confidence boosting encouragement. This generosity never wavered as I grew older. We shared the stage in two lively paced farces where your ‘the show must go on’ attitude led to some of my favourite theatrical anecdotes. I also had the pleasure of you being my director, spending a glorious summer in the sunken gardens of York House in Twickenham, where you contiuned to nurture my self-belief. I treasure all these memories, and the many more I hold of you. I still can’t believe you won’t be there when I next visit to give me one of your amazing hugs. I shall miss you greatly Stella. With all my love, Karin xx