Louisa Eastland Radcliffe grew up in Winchelsea Beach, attended Winchelsea Primary and Thomas Peacocke school and was crowned Rye Princess in the late 80s when she was 19 years old. A week later she was rushed into Hurstwood Park Hospital where she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
She passed away at the age of not quite 54½, having made the brave decision to travel to Dignitas in Switzerland. She did so with the full knowledge, love, and support of her family and friends, who understood her wishes and the reasons behind them. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at just 19, Louisa faced a lifetime of challenges with remarkable strength and determination. Despite the many ways the illness reshaped her hopes and dreams, she continued to fight with courage and grace. A truly courageous and beautiful woman, Louisa will be remembered for her resilience, her spirit, and the love she shared with those around her.
Although she never pursued it as a career, Louisa had a deep love of art. She created a remarkable body of work as part of a Sunday afternoon online self-portrait group. There will be an exhibition of it at the Strand Quay Gallery: a private view on Friday June 19, followed by a week’s run from Saturday June 20. This exhibition brings together these self-portraits in an extensive and deeply personal collection that confronts the full range of her emotions. Louisa returned to this practice in every state of mind: whether happy, frustrated, angry, or sad.
In each piece, she is beautiful, not in a conventional sense, but because of the honesty she brought to her work. Every portrait reflects her courage to be seen exactly as she was.
She was such a loving, happy individual and is sorely missed.
Image Credits: Louisa Eastland Radcliffe .