Phyllis North

Click here to add your own tribute to Phyllis North

Guy Senior writes: "Very sad to hear of her death. A lovely lady." Councillor Guy Senior, Cabinet Member, Wandsworth Borough Council

Christopher Luke writes: "On behalf of the Unionist Family in Northern Ireland I should like to express my deepest sympathy on learning of the tragic death of Phyllis North. Phyllis was a tireless fighter for individual freedom and personal responsibility, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. During her time as Organising Secretary of TFA – when the Association was based in Westminster Bridge Road – I often saw, and spoke with, Phyllis, as I sought to establish links between the Freedom Association and the Ulster Unionist Parliamentary Party (then led by Jim, now Lord, Molyneaux). Phyllis’s subsequent election to the Council of TFA was a fitting “retirement present” for a truly remarkable lady who continued to champion the cause of freedom and responsibility long after her retirement from the office of TFA. R.I.P. Phyllis. Thank you for everything you did and the influence you continue to have on those of us who remain."

Brian Mooney writes: "Always helpful and cheerful, in spite of some challenging times for TFA. She was an inspiration to all of us".

Edward Clark writes: "I got to know Phyllis quite well when I was doing some work for the Association in the London office around the turn of the millennium. I think she was over eighty then, and suffering from osteoperosis, but her seemingly boundless energy and zest for the cause put us mere septuagenarians to shame. It seemed almost as if she would go on for ever, but even the best of us cannot do that. And Phyllis really was one of the best".

Tessa McWhirter writes: "I was so sorry to hear the very sad news about Phyllis. She was such a competent, hard working and loyal supporter of Norris and The Freedom Association for so many years and a very kind and sweet person."

TFA Council Member Mike Fisher and his wife Pat write "I always called her Mrs Freedom and she always answered with that smile. Phyllis was too young to leave us and when she slipped away she took with her some rare and wonderful qualities. She always did what she said, she always had a kind word, she never shirked from duty, she was always there, she loved a laugh and she was as loyal as they come. I always looked forward to seeing Mrs Freedom - she added lots. Freedom has lost a great foot soldier and I have lost my Mrs Freedom. Bless you Phyllis, take care, thanks for the fun we shared, love with great sadness."

John Gouriet (TFA Campaign Director from 1975 to 1978) said he "was very sad to hear of Phyllis's passing, and send my deepest sympathy to her family and all who were associated with her from the early days of The Freedom Association. I know how much Norris, especially, relied on her secretarial skill and steadiness under pressure. I am sure he will be there to greet her just inside the Pearly Gates and before long they will be hatching a new campaign from one cloud or another - and if the rain tips down on Downing Street, we'll know they've started!"

Senior TFA member Richard Harding said "she was such an active and lovely lady. Whenever I met her I always got on well with her, and she was indefatigable in the work she did for both Norris and the Association."

Another leading TFA member Ted Huxley added that "Phyllis was a great scout. One of the very best." Geoffrey Lee said "she was a great stalwart of the Association and her presence will be greatly missed."

TFA Management Committee Member Councillor Tony Woodcock said he was "very sorry to hear this news. Phyllis was a stalwart. Always ready to help the Branches and Branch Chairmen with any bizarre project they dreamed up and to put in a good word for them at HQ. She got a tremendous amount of enjoyment, excitement and amusement from the often hand to mouth operations in HQ, when it was often necessary to respond to dramatic events with alacrity and sensitivity. She was always very complimentary of her colleagues in crime: Gerald Hartup and Philip Vander Elst, not to mention, of course, Norris. When she retired from TFA she became a member of the Council. I regret I only saw her once after that. I hope she left recollections of her time as office manager. It would make fascinating reading."

Click here to add your own tribute to Phyllis North