Davnob is sad to pass on the news that Rachel Barnard-Davidson has died. Steffi recently received the following message from Jimmy Barnard, Rachel's son. "Rachel's health deteriorated, and in February she went in for an operation from which she never regained consciousness. Shortly after we had a very small funeral for just immediate family." He explained that since he had no list of contacts he had been unable to let the family know. He had only just found a set of emails between Steffi and Rachel.
Before coming to Britain, Rachel had lived in Israel and Brazil, coming from a family with a fascinating history. For many years she lectured on Politics at Westminster University where she met Laurie. When eventually she and Laurie retired from formal academic life, they moved to Portugal, at first living near Coimbra, before eventually settling in a beautiful house in the Algarve near Olhao. However Rachel did not totally abandon academic research. In recent years she began to study Portugese crafts, and began to give lectures locally on Arraiolas carpets, and subsequenty Azulejo tiles. Until recently she was travelling extensively studying these local skills. Despite living 'abroad' in recent decades, she and Laurie kept in contact with the family, and were tremendously hospitable. Rachel was a vibrant person who will be sadly missed. Condolences to her sons Danny and Jimmy, and to Gideon and Adam.
