From Dr Geoff Lloyd - retired dentist

Rembrandt's Mother

Peta worked for me as a receptionist in my Dental Practice for over ten years. She had no previous experience of that type of work but took to it like the proverbial duck to water.

She loved contact with the patients and radiated a natural and genuine air of caring confident efficiency which was an incredible asset, especially when dealing with the more nervous patients, and those with titles who never managed to overawe her!

Peta also had the most wicked sense of humour which certainly helped long arduous days to pass in a much more relaxed and enjoyable manner.

It was also possible to " pull her leg" which I did all too frequently.

One of my lady patients who was really old enough to know better made a habit of attending dressed in outlandish and revealing outfits.

On one particular day she appeared not only displaying a very obvious amount of cleavage and a great expanse of thigh but also a large floppy black velvet hat.

After the rapid deployment of the largest bib in the Practice and my initial examination I sent the lady back to Reception to make her next appointment.

I thought it quite reasonable to ring through and ask Peta to give Rembrandt's Mother a thirty minute appointment.

There was a noticeable pause before Peta, in her most professional and serious voice, stated that she would carry out that request.

A few minutes later the door to my surgery opened and when she had stopped laughing she proceeded to very comprehensively "tear a strip off me" for forcing her to keep a straight face whilst she made the appointment all the time saying a silent, but ardent, prayer that she did not let her mask slip.

Over the years Rembrandt's Mother went down in the Practice history and we laughed over the incident on many occasions as we did with innumerable others.

That was the Peta I remember, professional, caring and most of all immense fun to be with.

She was a very special lady.