Sara Citron

Sara and her husband Bunty have always been at the heart of our community, he on the Board where he was responsible for social (affairs?), and she working with him.

Despite having 3 children, her mother living with them for 30 years and running a slimming clinic "Sara Jane", she also worked tirelessly for Wizo. She would do all the baking for their AGM - usually scones. At the end of one such occasion, she slipped on the floor where water from the urn had dripped, breaking her wrist. "At least you finished the baking", said the chairman, as she helped Sara into the ambulance.

She subsequently joined the Ladies' Guild Committee.

For Sara, Monday evenings were a time of relaxation. Half a dozen friends, whose husbands attended the Jewish lodge, would meet in other's homes for coffee and a chat. Imagine the surprise, therefore, when one Monday jet black Sara had turned auburn.

It took a great of persuasion before Sara agreed to become the Guild's chairman, a position which she held for 3 years, during which time she displayed increasing confidence. It was said of her at the end of her term of office that the little goldfish had turned into a piranha.

Her greatest challenge was to cater for Yom Ha'atzmaut. The venue was the BIC, and every item of food had to be prepared on long tables in the Menorah Suite, placed in containers and transported by a team of volunteer drivers to be taken across town and set up by more volunteers at the centre. Every Jewish organisation was involved.

The event was originally expected to be for 300, but as the days passed, more and more people wanted to attend, and the final count was over 800, who all joined the singing of the Hatikvah.

A great achievement by a woman whose life was devoted to working for the community and was the centre of a warm and loving family.