ANNE MAYER
1. Character - Anne, also known as Lorle, her nickname for Hannah-Laura, was a strong & formidable character all her life. Her devoted carer Julie tells how she was DETERMINED to get out of her chair even last week & WALK alone to the kitchen, even though she was tired & unwell by that time. She said with gusto 'I WON'T be beaten' laced fruitier words to that effect! This characterised her strong, feisty & out- going personality & she was determined to overcome every obstacle in life. She was a strong woman, never afraid to face up to each challenge that came her way & there were many. She was also kind & still very alert, demonstrated only last Friday by complimenting, smiling & thanking her cousin Judith & encouraging her to continue in her voluntary Hospital Governor's role. Anne set a great example because she too had volunteered as a speech therapist for many years at the hospital after a long career in the NHS. Anne said exactly what she thought & that was to EVERYONE, family, friends & many professional colleagues without exception! Sometimes her words were well-received & sometimes they were not, but everything she said & did throughout her 94 years was with strong CONVICTION & determination. There was no beating about the bush for her & as hindsight shows, she was often right on the button. Most people, family & friends alike, admired her forthright character, even if they didn't always agree with her!
2. Heroism, Courage and Bravery
As a young teenager living in a big Jewish, Berlin family in Germany, Anne was too old at 18 to travel on the Kinder Transport just before WW2. She was a tall, impressive young woman with a crown of flaming red hair & piercing blue/green eyes who spoke 'Hoch Deutsch' with authority. Even as a teenager she was an impressive young woman not to be crossed! These attributes would have undoubtedly helped her & her fiance? Paul, who became her devoted husband, to make it through the German lines & successfully escape to Britain together. Many of you will know this story of how she managed to save her own & Paul's life BUT what many of you may NOT know, is that with the utmost courage, she also saved the life of a baby boy whom she & Paul took responsibility to bring to England with them. After WW2, that young baby boy was reunited with relations who had safely reached South America & is now STILL alive, in his late 70's, happily living in South America with his own children & grandchildren! Anne never spoke of her great act of courage, only revealing this family secret to her cousin Judith a few years ago on her 90th birthday. She sought no recognition for her bravery in her lifetime - a true heroine who accomplished a GREAT MITZVAH which will live on in the future through her own family.
3. Loved Israel & was a staunch Zionist
Anne was a staunch Zionist, interested in Jewish affairs all her life. She often travelled to Israel, most recently visiting Jerusalem with Julie her carer. She even had a short holiday in Bath last summer at 94. Anne also travelled all over the world to visit family & it was due to her life-long efforts to keep in contact with her far-flung relatives, that so many of them scattered in North, Middle & South America & in Israel join us in sadness, mourning her departure in England today. Anne was a life-long, curious, intrepid, international traveller.
4. Career & Life Achievements
After having her 2 sons Steve & Danny in the 1940's & 50's, Anne devoted herself to working in the newly formed National Health Service, rising to become an Administrative Registrar. When the family moved to Poole from London 30 years ago, she volunteered as a Speech Therapist at Poole & Bournemouth hospitals helping many people to recover after their strokes. She was an accomplished linguist, speaking excellent English, German & Ivrit throughout her life. She attended Hebrew classes here in Bournemouth & conducted professional translations until recently which is testament to her life-long love of learning.
She was already of mature age when she decided to embrace new technology, mastering the computer which enabled her to stay in contact via email & Skype with all her worldwide relatives & friends. Anne & Paul ensured that both their sons received a good education & she was always proud of their achievements, although she probably never mentioned this to them! She was also very proud of her 2 granddaughters Nicole & Claire & the meticulous research done on the family tree by Sue her daughter-in-law.
Family Recollections
Her younger cousin Minky, here with us from London today, remembers with pleasure how Anne managed to attend most of her 8 children's various Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, engagements & weddings. She will be sadly missed at future family Simchas. She took a great interest in the lives of her many, much younger cousins in London, was happy to celebrate each of their achievements & never forgot a single one of their birthdays & many Simchas. Her relatives Stefan & Lilian fondly remember times she visited them in Guatamala & a happy family holiday they enjoyed together in Florida. Her cousin Judith, an active BHC member here today, fondly remembers her strong character, determination, thoughtful gifts, kindness, encouraging words & her undoubted courage.
5. IN CONCLUSION
Anne, Hannah-Laura, 'Lorle' Mayer was a proud mother, a devoted wife, an accomplished linguist, friendly cousin & successful career woman throughout her long life - she will be fondly remembered by her many friends in Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation & her relatives for many years to come.
