I was the ‘new kid’ on the block at Berrymede Middle School. I vividly recall my first day at school in the playground. The girls were gathered around and were struggling to pronounce my name, calling me anything from ‘Vincey’ to ‘Venice’, and one voice spoke over them all stating, ”No!! That’s not her name! Her name is ‘Vi-niss!” Impressed by her 100% accuracy I replied, “That’s right! What’s your name?” “ Hi!” she replied, “My name is Lanre!” This was the mid 1970s, and Sister Lan (as she was later fondly known) and I became firm friends. We had fun and games thereafter from Berrymede School, to Reynolds High school, to Hammersmith and West London College, and then pursuing our careers: hers in the legal profession and mine in nursing. Though we did not meet up as regularly as we would have liked, I recall some real fun moments each step of the way:

I recall us ‘cracking up’ over my faux pas at Reynolds, with Mrs Perris’ newly baked cookies in Home Economics; believing her response of ‘Yes’ meant ‘Yes, you can take them’, after I had tucked into them at great speed, I realised she had meant ‘Yes, I want them, leave them there!’ (Eh?!)
I recall us playing hockey and running up and down that flaming pitch in the freezing cold!
I recall us donning an orange skirt suit, and singing at the Fashion Show at Hammersmith and West London College, to some song I had flung together, with Sonia in the background as our BV…
I recall the three of us dancing wildly to ‘Holiday’ by Madonna, or ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ (Phil Collins’ version)
I recall Lan and I challenging the guys at college to table football and - to their horror - often beating them!
I really recall Lan being the Queen of Jolof Rice, and
More recently, I recall us doing our annual tour to ‘try out’ various Caribbean or African restaurants, occasionally finishing the night dancing around our handbags…

I can go on and on, but space does not allow me…

It is always distressing to see someone who has been a part of your life for so long become unwell and deteriorate before your eyes. Though there were times Lanre was too weak to see visitors, we communicated by text. My greatest comfort is that we shared a faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and, during her illness, she said how much she was comforted and strengthened by the prayers of one of the Pastors from Ealing Christian Centre. It is comforting to know that she is in the presence of Jesus, no longer plagued by pain and sickness, but at peace.

My lasting memory of Lanre was when Sonia and I met with her for supper in November 2015, tucking into Nando chicken and chips. We put the world to rights for what was to be the last time with Sister Lan. One of her final texts to me was: “It was fun. Catch soon. LanreX”.

Lanre was a dear friend of whom I was and always will be proud. I am blessed to have had her as a dear friend for over 40 years… She has gone too soon, and will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.

Vinice xx