Family pays tribute to woman who helped raise awareness of lupus

Angela Archer from Lagney passed away peacefully at Eastbourne DGH on Tuesday, February 9 after a long struggle with lupus, a rare and incurable disease which attacks the immune system.

She was diagnosed with the condition when she was just 15-years-old and survived several severe bouts of illness as a result of her condition including a life-threatening coma caused by meningitis when she was 20-years-old.

Despite her poor health Angela was able to live a full, happy life working as a volunteer and raising her three children – Claire, Daniel and Craig.

“There has never been a photograph of her where she isn’t smiling,” said her husband Alan.

“She did so many things that she never thought she would do when she was 15. I don’t think people know just how much she achieved. She has always been my support.”

When support group Lupus Awareness first started in 1986 Angela was among those who helped to spread word of the disease, meeting Herald reporter Georgina Daly while recovering from illness in a hospital bed.

Later in 1986 the Herald featured Angela as one of our Women of the Year due her work with the Sussex Lupus group.

A keen volunteer, Angela gave much of her time to supporting Alan with the Kingfishers, Eastbourne Scout Band – where her husband is bandmaster – taking part in trips to France, Canada and Kenya with the children.

She also recently volunteered as a test patient at Leaf Hall Training Hospital, allowing students to assess her health as part of their training.

Her complicated condition proved to be a challenge for the students, with her treatment forming a major part of their final examinations.

A funeral will be held at 11am on Friday, February 26 at Payne and Sons funeral directors on 143 Seaside Road.

The service will be followed by a wake at the Arlington Arms pub.

The family asks well-wishers to wear bright clothing and bring flowers to honour Angela’s request for a colourful send-off.

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