Page 39 - QARANC Vol 16 No 1 2018

THE GAZETTE QARANC 37
Major (Retd) Sally Beatrice Mears TD Born 1942. Died 29 November 2017
Sally (Sal to many), died on 29 November 2017 following a brave and dignified fight after being diagnosed with a sudden and aggressive cancer. Family and friends have found it almost impossible to come to terms with the speed of events over the last few months.
At school, Sal finished as Head Girl of Boston High School. She then trained at St Bartholomew’s Hospital and quickly specialised in operating theatre nursing, rising through the roles to become a theatre sister and clinical teacher. A Short Service Commission in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service followed, based in Plymouth and Gibraltar. After roles as Nursing Officer and managing central sterile services for theatres, Sal moved into nurse education at Thames Valley University.
Alongside her nursing career she was commissioned into the Territorial Army in QARANC. She spent 15 years in 217 (London) General Hospital (V), guiding and sharing theatre skills with combat medical technicians who would later serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sal retired as Deputy Matron of 256 Field Hospital and was very proud of her military career. With her usual wit she commented ‘only the Air Force to go!’
A few Bart’s nurses remember Sal masterminding a great canal holiday from Chester to Llangollen and back. At that time, she was the only one of them who knew one end of a boat from the other! Her friends over-steered, which meant they went backwards, dropped the precious lock key into the water, and it did not take long for them to realise that what she had actually organised was - one long pub crawl!
At Sal’s funeral, the congregation heard from Richard Falk. In 2005/6, Sal was accepted to be part of the crew of Uniquely Singapore, a 68 feet yacht taking part in the Clipper Round the World Race. Richard was the yacht skipper, and spoke about her lack of offshore sailing experience, ultimately being outweighed by her ability to contribute to the team on board, where she quickly gained their trust, and affection. Sal was wise, calm and able to give care and advice to her crew mates. Sal’s leg of the journey was almost halfway round the world and she proved to be a valuable member of the crew, and Richard and the team will always remember her smile and quick wit.
Sal loved the West Country, camping, caravanning or walking the coastal paths. The constant lure of her favourite hobby ‘do it yourself’ never left her, especially when faced with a new house.
For the last 35 years, Sal was her happiest with her partner Maj (Retd) Judy Cook. They met while serving in the TA and they faced Sal’s illness together.
Those of us, who have known Sal over the years, remember her friendship, kindness, calm and dignified manner, and that huge infectious smile. She has inspired students in healthcare from the start to the finish of her career, and will be affectionately remembered.