Death of Lynne Braithwaite

[Ellena]

I have just read in my local paper of the death of Lynne, who died on 12th August. There is excellent obituary in paper about this TS campaigner - and if you do not know who she is, we owe her a lot for Lancs and (York police) become TG friendly. She work for 10 years as TG advisor to Lancs Constabulary. I will pass the obituary onto Sara, for newsletter. I was so shocked when I read it. I last talked to her in April. She told me she was just standing down from her advisory role for the police, and concentrating on her campaign (now going through the high court) for those who change gender before they are 60 to have right to a pension at 60. She wrote a book about her transformation at 60 to a female, after 40 years as fitter in RAF - life begins again at 60 she told me. It is to be found on internet - it is e book. She was so full of energy, and I found her full of honest and outspoken integrity and courage to be so. At 70 she discovered she had heart condition, so she went to Canada and drove a 4x4 thousands of miles to Goose Bay in Labrador to see airbase she had worked on as Vulcan fitter. As she said to me, if my life is to be shorten, then I need to take advantage of what time I got. Her last undertaking was to be consultant for restoring of Vulcan XH558, which took to the air last October. That Vulcan did a fly past for her funeral. Myself I found her inspiring and will miss not have tea again at her house for a chat.

Ellena

[kim swanheart]

I spoke to Lynne last month,she was a real character and I won't be the only one to miss her.She once went to a meeting at Central Drive and was well impressed with Renaissance.It takes a lot to impress someone who was a former RAF Sergeant!

[Sara Rae]

There will be a Piece On Lynne in the next News Letter

[rachelb]

This is on the web site for 'The Vulcan to the Sky Trust'
Also they say that the Vulcan will fly at the SOUTHPORT air show this Saturday, 6th September

Farewell to Lynne
Friday, August 22, 2008 - VTST

At 1.50 p.m. today as the funeral cortege approached those waiting to say their last goodbyes to Lynne Braithwaite the VTST/MA team showed their respect in the best way possible as XH558 flew over the crematorium to say goodbye to one of their own.

Lynne lead a full and varied life true at all times to herself and selfless in the help and support she gave to others. This was reflected in the numbers who turned out today to say one last goodbye

The coffin draped in the RAF standard and topped with family flowers lay in witness as the vicar , a long time friend , reminded the congregation again of the many aspects of Lynne’s’ life from RAF days to Community service with the Lancashire Constabulary to assisting VTST in the restoration of XH558.

The service was simple with the chance to reflect on memories of happier times when this very special person had touched individual lives.

The congregation departed to the strain of Gloria Gaynor’s “I am who I am “which perfectly summed up the philosophy of the friend finally laid to rest.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family this evening in their hour of sorrow.

VTST

“Thank you Lynne it was privilege to have you pass through my life” Rusty