Tributes have been paid to a pioneering priest who “touched the hearts of countless people” during her life.
The Rev Lindsay Spendlove died last Saturday, aged 59.
Mrs Spendlove was born Lindsay Wickenden in 1955, becoming Lindsay Wynne the following spring when she was adopted by Thomas and Phyllis Wynne in Farnborough, Hampshire.
She read history at Essex University, was also Mayoress of Colchester in 1991-92, before being one of the first women to be ordained to the priesthood in the Chelmsford Diocese in 1994.
In 2004, with the help and support of her friend and colleague Eilish Heath, she established Green Blade, a space for retreats and quiet days in the Compass Pub, Wenhaston.
Her husband Paul said she combined this with a chaplaincy on the Suffolk Sandlings, where she spent many hours walking in the company of her cocker spaniels.
Mr Spendlove said: “Lindsay died in the early hours of November 15 at the St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich. She was receiving palliative care for a recurrent and aggressive cancer, having lived with 16 months of increasing illness, which had included surgery, chemo and radiotherapy.
“Her death means that she will not have to suffer the dreadful consequences of the advanced stages of this wicked cancer. She beat it, and retained her dignity and soul fully intact.”
The Rt Rev David Thomson, Acting Bishop of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, said: “To meet Lindsay was to meet Easter.
“Creativity and colour, vivacity even in adversity, complete honesty and compelling humour: she touched the hearts and lives of hundreds as both priest and person.
“It has been a privilege to have her as part of our company, most recently in opening her home, with its Easter name of Green Blade, for quiet and retreat, while also starting up our new chaplaincy to the Sandlings.
“She will be sorely missed, most of all by her husband Paul but by many, many more too – but her word to us was ‘no black ties’.
“The life of Jesus was alive in Lindsay, and it is into that life that we commend her now for ever.”
Mr Spendlove added: “Lindsay touched the hearts and lives of countless people throughout her shortened life.”
There is a service of thanksgiving and farewell for Mrs Spendlove on Friday at 12noon at the Church of All Saints in Sudbourne, followed by interment in the churchyard.
There will also be a short service at the church at 5pm on Thursday, when she will be received into the church, and her body will rest there until then.
All are welcome to either or both services.
Donations should be made payable to St Elizabeth Hospice and be sent to Hunnaball of Ipswich, Dove House, 291 Norwich Road, Ipswich IP1 4BP, or by calling 01473 748808 or by visiting www.hunnaball.co.uk
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