Mary Lee

(Committee Member)

I was born in Hertfordshire in 1943 and brought up in Wembley, north London.   On leaving school in 1960 I worked as a secretary in London for a few years until 1964 when I  married Rick  and we moved to Bury St. Edmunds . I was secretary to the Chief Executive of W. Vinten Limited, the company who moved to Bury St. Edmunds under the London ‘Overspill’ scheme.

We have 1 son and 2 daughters and now have 5 grandchildren who keep us busy and out of trouble! After a gap of 12 years bringing up my 3 children I returned to work as Office Manager of the National Farmers Union in Bury St. Edmunds where I spent 24 happy years working with the local farming community and retired at the age of 60. 

Rick and  I spent some time travelling and were fortunate to spend several weeks travelling around Australia and New Zealand.

 When I retired I needed to keep active and pursued my interests which include Yoga and reading .  I also enjoy getting involved in voluntary work and work on the Reception desk at the West Suffolk Hospital on Monday mornings and help at the Contact Centre where children of separated parents can meet the absent parent on mutual ground.  Another organisation I belong to is the St. Vincent de Paul Society, an international organisation who care for the vulnerable and those in financial need.   St. Edmunds Ladies Club is another committee I am on and we meet monthly to do what women do!!  That is we organise talks, outings and a small amount of fundraising for a chosen charity. 

 In 2006 Rick suffered a heart attack following complicated medical problems and we both joined Upbeat after he completed his rehabilitation programme at the West Suffolk Hospital.   After the shock of suffering a heart attack it takes a lot to regain confidence and Upbeat has been an important part of Rick’s recovery as well as making many new friends and enjoying the social aspect of being involved in such a caring organisation.