I was born and brought up in Smethwick, Warley and have lived all my life in the West Midlands. 

I originally trained and worked in pharmacology at Birmingham University Medical School before changing to a career in Environmental Health that sustained me for over 30 years in Birmingham City Council.  In 1997 I left this work and subsequently ran a successful food safety consultancy, including training, with my husband.

Since my early 20's I have undertaken voluntary work with a range of organisations and charities including: the Probation Service, the Friends of (Redditch) Alexandra Hospital, the National Trust, the Blue Cross Animal Rehoming Centre and the Birmingham Homeless Shelter.

In the early 2000s I was a patient at the Primrose Hospice in Bromsgrove. When I recovered from my illness I began work as a volunteer and for 8 years I was their Trust and Grant Fundraiser. I continue to work as a committed volunteer at Primrose which brings me into regular contact with patients at the end of their life, their carers, and those bereaved.

After attending a funeral that was led by a civil celebrant, I recognised my vocation and forthwith trained as a funeral celebrant myself with the FOIC. I have since worked with funeral directors in the West Midlands and Worcestershire and am thankful for the privilege of engaging with this work.

I believe that my upbringing and life experience enable me to interact with people from all backgrounds and walks of life in a compassionate way, with absolute integrity.   It would be my pleasure to work with you at a very stressful and sorrowful time in your life.