From HPBC Founder & Chair, Rev'd Shannon Ledbetter on the 3rd of December 2019:
It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Felicity Wren. Felicity died last night after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
As Felicity would tell it, she was the first person who's 'arm I twisted' to be on the Board of Trustees nearly 20 years ago. And how blessed the charity was to be offered a part of her passion, her uncompromising sense of justice, and her compassion.
Her dedication which included fundraising and being a member of the Family Selection Committee benefitted the charity enormously.
She was on the Board until early 2019 when she became unable to attend meetings due to her failing health. Felicity then agreed to become HPBC's first Honorary Trustee.
Her commitment to the charity didn't wane and last week I was able to play for her the BBC radio interview with Liza, Fr Peter, and home partner John. I talked to her about the completion of St Bernard's and that people were moving into their new homes. I was able to tell her that our original vision for Kingsley Rd, Alt St, and then St Bernard's, had become a completed reality with 48 families, 139 people and 17 'HPBC' babies born all benefitting and she could be proud of that legacy. She smiled and said "wonderful".
On behalf of the HPBC Trustees and staff (past & present) we thank Felicity for her invaluable contribution.
She was much loved and will be greatly missed.
Felicity’s experience was mainly working with young people in the creative world, exploring ideas, processes and techniques in a variety of areas of Art and Design, including photography. She was passionate about helping people to achieve their dreams and develop their potential; and had run her own art gallery for more than 25 years.
A member of Merseyside Civic Society for more than 20 years and on the committee for most of that time, Felicity had gleaned ‘a modicum’ of information and experience of planning, developments and related issues, which enhanced her input to HPBC.
Felicity was proud to have been one of the founding board members of the charity and was thrilled to have seen the first houses arise from the bare ground on Kingsley Road. She brought enthusiasm and commitment to HPBC and spread the word about our charity with passion and energy to everyone she met.