My mother, Angela Greener, who has died aged 68 after a short illness, worked as a police officer and a secretary while remaining the cornerstone of our family.
Born in Sunderland, to William Barker, a maintenance engineer, and Doreen (nee Lamb), Angela went to Robert Richardson grammar technical school. When she was still a teenager, her mother developed multiple sclerosis, and Angela had to take care of her from a young age. Her father’s sudden death in 1985 added to her responsibilities, but despite this, both Doreen and Angela were cheerful and uncomplaining.
After obtaining an advanced secretarial diploma from Monkwearmouth College of Further Education in 1975, and a London Chamber of Commerce private secretary’s certificate, Angela worked as secretary to the managing director of the UK supermarket SavaCentre for a year, before returning to her college as personal secretary to the principal. She also completed the Royal Society of Arts examination for shorthand-typing, honing her skills to an impressive 130 words per minute. Such speed never failed to amaze her children.
Influenced by her father’s stint in the Royal Air Force and stories of his travels to Pakistan and India, Angela sought a new vocation and decided to join Northumbria police. She graduated and began her service in November 1981, swearing her oath of allegiance in front of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
It was the first time that a police swearing-in ceremony had been attended by royalty as it came directly after the Queen had officially opened a new police headquarters in Ponteland, Northumberland. Angela predominately acted as a burglary visits officer until her retirement in 2011.
Stylish and elegant, Angela was passionate about flower arranging, a fan of Latin and ballroom dancing and the BBC television show Strictly Come Dancing; she was also an avid watcher of EastEnders. In her later years she was besotted by her grandchildren and would often bake cakes for them.
While growing up, Angela would pass by a framed quote hanging in her hallway, which said: “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show, let me do it now.” This influenced her greatly, and became the rule by which she led her life, ensuring those she loved were supported and valued.
Doreen died in 2005. Angela is survived by three children from a marriage that ended in divorce – my sisters, Emma and Eve, and me – and by six grandchildren.
