Gifted, generous and kind

My wonderful friend Madeleine Eve lost her fight, her dementia attacking her health and eventually winning (15 September 1946 – 26 March 2025 ). For her it was a release, but for family and close friends it was tragic losing such a gifted, generous and kind person captured by this awful disease about six years ago. Another beautiful individual has left a hole in the fabric of Rye society. It is said that keeping busy, active, learning new skills helps ward off Alzheimer’s or dementia, but in my experience, people I know plagued by it were active individuals, had responsible jobs and led a full life..

Madeleine started her work life as a nurse and quickly moved up to work in a family planning clinic, Mary Pike. She travelled extensively with husband Mike, through his work. In Iran she taught English for six months, in Jamaica she was an assistant district nurse for one year. The travels continued, Madeleine working where she could until unexpected, a daughter and son arrived. They settled in London as well as acquiring a house in Rye where they eventually moved to once the children were older. Madeleine and Mike very quickly became part of a big circle of friends and they were the first to embrace me when I moved to Rye. She was my snooker buddy. We played once a week, brought our tipple, sharing problems or laughter before having a game.

Madeleine was always happy to help whoever asked and needed it. She was artistic, brilliant at craft and her passion, beading. She created some exquisite jewellery, necklaces, earrings and bracelets, selling them with a friend at the Christmas market in St Mary’s church for charity. While she would not consider herself a business woman Madeleine showed her versatility and adaptability taking on a shop opposite St Mary’s. She designed it in her style, selling beautiful cards and soaps and from other interesting items, things she liked rather than things for tourists. After five years Madeleine retired from the success she made of the shop as she wanted to go back to what she loved doing, beading and visiting bead fairs.

Madeleine was also part of a small group of us helping to get support for the Kino and Mike took on finding the finances for it and building his support group. There was opposition but now it is here people love it and it has become an asset to Rye. We have lost a special individual but her spirit will remain in Rye and in her friends’ minds.

Image Credits: Mike Eve , Eve family .