FRITCHIE, Rt Hon Baroness DBE 1942-2026

[Tim]

The Life Peeress Baroness Fritchie died 12 March 2026, aged 83.

She was born Irene Tordoff FENNELL on 29 Mar 1942, daughter of Charles Fredrick FENNELL [spelling of middle name as given in DPB 2019]. She appears to have m 1961 (reg Q4 Cheltenham) Don Jamie FRITCHIE d 1992 (although DPB 2019 gives 1960 as their year of marriage) and had two sons. 

She was a consultant and chaired several NHS authorities from 1988-97; she also served as Commissioner for Public Appointments from 1999-2005, and was the patron of several charities and held several university leadership roles. She was appointed DBE (Civil) in 1996 and further honoured by being created a Life Peeress as Baroness Fritchie, of Gloucester in the County of Gloucestershire, on 31 May 2005.

Her elder son Charles Eric FRITCHIE 1962-91 is shown in DPB 2019 as having died unmarried. However, a Charles E. FRITCHIE is shown on the marriage register index as having married a Fiona D. FORBES (surname also given as GARLAND) (reg Feb 1990 Gloucester). They appear to have had a daughter, Laura Yvonne I. FRITCHIE (birth reg May 1990 Gloucester). Can anybody confirm whether this Charles E. FRITCHIE is the same individual as the late elder son of Lady FRITCHIE?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mgdennwd4o

Tim

[Richard R]

From the Times of 8 April 2026: FRITCHIE, BARONESS OF GLOUCESTER Irene Tordoff (Rennie) DBE died on 12th March 2026, aged 83. Beloved and hugely respected mother, grandmother and great friend to so many. It is impossible to be sad looking at a life so full, so selfless and so well-lived: unfailingly turning grit to pearl. Sleep peacefully Nana. Private funeral. Memorial service at Gloucester Cathedral at 3pm on Sunday 24th May and afterwards at Highnam Court. Family flowers only, but any donations to Pied Piper Appeal of which she was patron.