Rachael led a fantastically fulfilled life and had a hugely successful sporting career spanning more than forty years – she was England Women’s Cricket Captain from 1966 to 1978 (winning the World Cup in 1973), as well as goalkeeper for the England national field hockey team, and a single-figure handicap golfer.
As former England Women’s Cricket Captain, she was a pioneer and worked tirelessly in not only raising money for the game, but in championing, encouraging and supporting women within the sport. Later, she became a successful journalist and inspirational after-dinner speaker which saw her return to her Wolverhampton roots – becoming Vice President of her (and our) beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, an honour of which she was immensely proud.
She made a hugely positive contribution to all areas of life – her later years seeing her head up Wolves’ work within local communities where she made a very real difference to the lives of everyone she touched.
It was through her position as President of Paycare that I got to know Rachael personally, and my abiding memory of her is her genuine interest in people. She really wanted to know about you and would do everything within her power to help and support those around her. She showed real humility at all times and I have never known anyone so at ease with people. She was a truly lovely lady and always had a wonderful smile on her face – and she will be greatly missed. Thank you Rachael from all of us here at Paycare for all of your support, and for everything you did – your legacy will never be forgotten.