We report with sadness the death of Anne Dunlop on 9th April 2011 at the Royal Free Hospital at the age of 89.

Anne had been a Trustee at PFFS for over 36 years and its chair from 1991 to 1999. After that she retained particular responsibility for fundraising and in 2008 was declared Winner of the Individual category within the Una Padel Award for "outstanding contribution, commitment, determination and potential in the field of criminal and social justice".

She was greatly loved by generations of prisoners’ families and her experience, wisdom, dedication and humour will be sorely missed. Here are some tributes to Anne from people who knew her over the years.

Anne gave so many years of devoted service to our organisation. One of Anne’s delightful characteristics was that nobody needed to know her for any great length of time to appreciate her sterling qualities.

Anne joined the charity over 36 years ago as a trustee with special responsibility for fundraising. She brought to the role her strong intellectual and organisational skills. Without a doubt, it was her sustained and enthusiastic application of those skills over the years that ensured the continued existence of Prisoners’ Families and Friends Service to this day.

Anne was our highly effective chair from 1991 to 1999, during which time we moved to our present premises at Trinity Street and Swan Street. Her talents and energies were not confined to the role of chair and fundraiser. She was also a dedicated befriender. She visited over 100 women in their own homes over the years, giving them emotional support and wise counsel. In addition, she was regularly on hand on Tuesdays to lend support to the activities in the family centre. She had a special place in the hearts of the women who attended the centre. They held her in great affection and respect. She played a pivotal role too in support group sessions for volunteers. They instantly responded to her obvious experience and wisdom.

Anne was the author of Forty Years On, the history of Prisoners’ Families and Friends Service. She wrote it to mark our 40th anniversary. It is a remarkable story and Anne was the driving force behind so much of what the charity has achieved over the years.

In 2008 Anne was the winner in the individual category of the Una Padel award and she was a most worthy winner. The award was established in memory of Una Padel, who was, until her death in 2006, the director of the centre for crime and justice studies. She was a tireless campaigner for social justice and penal reform. Anne, like Una, possessed clear shining integrity and a fierce commitment to treating everybody with decency and respect.

All of us who had the good fortune to come within Anne’s sphere of influence were deeply admiring of her whole hearted commitment to the service of the families of prisoner. Anne was as modest and self effacing as she was gifted. The families, trustees, volunteers and staff of the charity will all greatly miss her dedication, her quiet wisdom and her kindness.

Margaret Vallance, Director of PFFS

 

Anne and I joined the Service at much the same time (1974-5) and it was through her persuasion that I eventually became a trustee. From that time on we worked together closely.

The charity went through a particularly lean time in the late 80s and 90s when we sometimes felt there was no encouragement to be found. Undoubtedly it was Anne’s resilience in the face of this negative atmosphere which got us through.

When we did have our good times, for example achieving significant funding, or being able to provide greatly sought after holiday provision for families, or hosting a Christmas party, Anne was always there, a twinkling presence enjoying the fruits of her labours.

She always gave time and wise consideration to our various concerns, her experience was invaluable we remember her with love and admiration.

Penny Clow, Vice Chair of PFFS

 

[Anne Dunlop] had a long and very well lived life. I admired her so much and loved her to bits. Working together was a real pleasure for me. I never could have done my job without Anne always being there to bounce ideas off. She would always listen and always have constructive comments. Anne was the epitome of CAN DO. There is no doubt whatsoever that PFFS is there today because of her.

I will always treasure special memories of Anne. The crazy golf we enjoyed at Paradise Wildlife Park, the Christmas parcels and many, many more. She was and still is my hero. Special beyond words.

None of us knows for certain what waits beyond life, but one thing is for sure, wherever and whatever it is, Anne Dunlop will wear a crown.

Audrey Hyde-Chambers, Director of PFFS 1999-2005

 

Anne and I went back a long time (we first worked together in the then Home Office Research Unit in 1980 and I was very fond of her and held her in the highest regard. I was particularly delighted when she was winner of the 2008 Una Padel Award. Over the years I spoke at two PFFS AGMs at Anne’s invitation.

Further back I was a trustee of the Prisoners’ Wives Service (as it was then called) alongside both Anne and her sister.

I learned much from Anne, and am saddened that she is no longer with us.

Stephen Shaw, Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1999-2010

 

Anne worked unceasingly for PFFS and her commitment was remarkable. The organisation would not have survived without her fundraising, but that was only one facet of her contribution which encompassed all the service’s activities.

She will be much missed but I hope that her achievement will be an inspiration for the future.

John Ingman, Chair of PFFS 1999 - 2008

 

Anne Dunlop's fundraising work for the organisation, provided entirely voluntarily, has ensured that PFFS continues to be a lifeline for prisoners' families. As Director, I worked closely with her for five years and learnt so much from her, not only from her knowledge and expertise of the criminal justice system and the funding environment, but also from her rich life experience.

She was a selfless person, who worked quietly away in the background, without wishing to seek any recognition for what she had achieved. Her passing marks the end of an era in the history of the organisation.

Alan Hooker, Director of PFFS 2005-2010