Conchita Beardall (8 Dec 1923 - 14 Mar 2017)

From Tomás Santis
I would like to say a few words in memory of my aunt Conchita,
After such a long and eventful life, I can’t comment on all I feel in a few words, so I will restrict myself to giving just a couple of reflections on our relationship through the years.
Conchita came to England many years ago; I think I was about 13. When I reached adolescence, she was on many occasions, my adviser, as much at the sentimental level as the personal. Her advice, always clear and sincere, was a great help to me. This was never forgotten and helped to maintain a close connection between us throughout the years.
She was always a direct person, giving her opinions fearlessly. This shaped her personality and was certainly one of the points that united us.
In her final years, having spent her life with a notebook as companion, jotting down everything and dedicated in great measure to the teaching of language, she discovered her talent as a writer and, rolling up her sleeves, she got down to the task of writing down her memories. This gave rise to the ‘Cuadernillos’ trilogy, where she poured out her experiences as a child, adolescent and adult, in a simple yet direct manner, just as she always liked to talk.
It was a pleasure for me to be her accomplice in Spain, as I had been many years earlier. So many dispatches of manuscripts from England to Spain, and the return of the same printed matter from Spain to England; so many letters and phone calls to put the finishing touches to the material. Each new delivery of Cuadernillos was a great thrill.
I still have the great happiness of knowing these books were the main excitement of the final years of Conchita’s life. Remembering how animated she was in our telephone conversations fills me with satisfaction. She dedicated herself to the task with the enthusiasm and drive worthy of a youngster. I think it helped her to keep a’ flame’ burning in her mind, always youthful despite the physical exhaustion of a long life.
She stayed just long enough to see the birth of her final book in the Trilogy; it seems as though she had been waiting to see it completed before leaving us.

Querida Conchita:

Muchas gracias por tu amistad y tu apoyo en los momentos difíciles; fuiste para mí un ángel de la Divina Providencia. Nunca olvidaré tu bondad y alegría.

Que Dios te tenga en Su Gloria.

Jon

Recordaré con mucho cariño a Conchita y todo lo que compartimos durante más de 20 años.

Luisa

Now I want to remember the happy times: Conchita's pleasure on a drive in the country, our annual search for snowdrops, choosing flowers for her balcony, her wonderful birthday parties - that is what I shall remember and what I shall miss.

Recordaré a Conchita y todo lo que compartimos con mucho cariño,

Conchita was ever present in in our family, it was our privilege she wanted to join and be joined with us over such a long time, over so many changes and in so many ways.
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The times have been long when you were with us,

In spirit and love the memories stay with us,

The touch on our lives will be with us always

and your smile will endure for the rest our days.
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For many years Conchita was a dedicated and enthusiastic member and friend to Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Field Club. She attended meetings and undertook walks and on occasions gave us talks on her native Spain and tourist spots in Britain. She was an excellent photographer and enriched all of our lives. We were the better for knowing her.

From Olga and Neil Rigby