Chris Smith

Chris was a great character, honest, forthright and great fun. She was a very lively and committed member always incredibly enthusiastic about whatever she was doing. 

She was the sort of person you took to straight away and I fell under her charm the very first time we met. We spent many happy hours chatting, moaning and most of all laughing together about what we had to put up with.  I always left her with a smile on my face and renewed hope in my heart because her humanity was such that she inspired my faith and hope in people. 

The measure of a person’s life is not in celebrity or riches but the true worth is in the legacy they leave of love and having been loved. Chris’s worth is immeasurable. 

Jan Bridgeman

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I was so sorry to hear the very sad news about Chris. Having joined the U3A in 2014, I got know her through the Comedy Group and shall always remember her for the good company she was and the laughs we all had there. I also remember the first meeting I attended when Chris had devised a quiz, about ventriloquists and their dummies, which turned out to be a lot of fun.

I am very saddened and upset by the news of her passing and know she will be missed by so many of us and would like to convey my sincere condolences to her family who will be devastated. Cancer is such a horrible, progressive disease and I just hope that in the weeks following her diagnosis, she didn't suffer and her final days were peaceful and pain-free. 

We have all lost a friend in Chris and I shall remember her for her lively personality and humour as well as the discussions we had about the poor use of English these days! While I am an amateur writer, and love reading, I have never attended the Shakespeare Reading Group but, from now on, whenever I hear a quote from the Bard, I shall think of Chris. In fact, when the new series of "Upstart Crow" is shown a little later this year, combining those two interests of hers, I shall definitely be thinking of her fondly, and hope she would approve.

My deepest sympathy to her family.

Lauretta 

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I knew Chris mainly from the Comedy Group, which I ran and continue to run; she was a much valued member of the group, always ready with a succinct comment and a laugh, and I was very sorry to see her leave.

Chris was not someone you could ignore; she took on a vast number of tasks, all of which she carried out effectively and conscientiously, and brought in a breath of fresh air by forcing people to look at things in new ways. She was always prepared to speak her mind, even at the risk of causing (mild) offence, but her zeal and enthusiasm carried her through. It is a great loss and shame that her life was cut so short.

Geoff Futcher

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I was sorry to hear about Chris, the times I met her she was very nice. Always shooting off somewhere but good company and she put a lot of effort into U3A. I am sure her family will miss her so much.

Mave Butler

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 Who was Chris? She was a lovely, lively lady; a mane of blonde hair, killer heels, funny, interesting and hard working. 

She joined our U3A and soon started a new Shakespeare group, a Murder Mystery group and a Forensic group. She also organised a fantastic Christmas party. 

When she left our U3A we still kept in touch. Meeting for coffee and a chat, she always wanted to hear how we were doing. I am sure all who knew her will miss her and her heart of gold. I know I will.  

Brenda Parsons

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I only knew Chris for a short time, when she was leader of the Shakespeare group.

She had an infectious enthusiasm for the subject.  She did a lot of research in order to bring to us many of the lesser known aspects of Shakespeare’s life, and the world in which he lived.  

The sessions were always fresh and interesting.  I was really sorry to hear that she is no longer with us.

Lawrie Jackson

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Chris was a breath of fresh air!  We spent many amusing Monday mornings in the Roebuck having coffee.

She had some very good ideas and the Christmas party she and her daughter arranged was very successful.

Stella Warner

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I am very happy to be able to pay tribute to Chris Smith.

I remember the first time I saw Chris I thought she looked far too young to be in the U3A! She was, to me, like a breath of fresh air, with new ideas and suggestions. I don’t think she had any time for “we’ve always done things THIS way” entrenched in some areas. 

I was one of those who joined her Shakespeare group and Play reading Group and her enthusiasm for those activities was boundless. Chris wasn’t and never had been, a teacher and because she herself was still learning a good deal she would often consult and encourage our opinions on various issues.  

Those of us who attended will never forget the Christmas party she organised, including the hilarious sketch!  She was a lovely lady who is still missed; my sympathy and very best wishes to her family.   

June Dewey

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Chris was a “doer”, a very positive person. She also spoke her own mind and was a lively volunteer.

To be in her company was never dull and U3A benefitted greatly from her ideas and actions.

Pat Smith

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