Vera Lankester
2005Vera, who died in June at the grand old age of 101, was a long-time resident of Leatherhead and a faithful supporter of the church here. She and Arthur moved to Clinton Road on their marriage in the early 1940s, where she remained until she moved to The Red House care home in Ashtead four years ago.
Vera attended the Sunday eight o'clock communion service at church, and also the Thursday morning service, until she became unable to manage the walk from Clinton Road and back. She did a great deal for the community in Leatherhead, mainly through the Red Cross, and received a decoration for her work in World War II. She was on the committee for Leddrede, the old people's home, which the Red Cross ran for some time in Church Street, and helped with the Red Cross pensioners' club.
Her other interests included the Townswomen's Guild, where she organised the Country Dancing group. She was a stickler for getting things right, but she was also a very kind and caring person with an impish sense of humour.
On the day of her death she had attended the monthly communion service at The Red House; had a visit from an old friend in the afternoon, and she slipped peacefully into the presence of her Lord in the evening. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Rosalind Corteen, August 2005 Parish Magazine
If you have photos of Vera or further remembrance to add, please contact Frank Haslam, the editor of these pages.