My mother, Linda Jonas, who has died aged 74, was proudly unconventional, despite her conservative upbringing. A passionate environmentalist, she helped rescue an endangered wood for her community.
Born in London to Greta (nee Findlay) and Pat Bell, an RAF serviceman, Linda had two siblings, Jennifer and Tim. When their parents divorced, all three went to live with Greta's new partner, Peter Pettit, a solicitor. After attending Queen Elizabeth's girls' school in Barnet, north London, Linda was discouraged from going to university by her mother and stepfather, both of whom felt it would be more appropriate for her to attend secretarial college.
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