Maria Elena Fernandez Bentancourt de Gillespie
1958
Born in Montevideo, Uruguay
Educated at the José Enrique Rodó School, Montevideo
1972
Marries Gumercindo Castillo, an electrician
1974
Gives birth to Ana
Qualifies for teacher training, with A in History, A in Geography, B in Spanish and B in Maths
1975
A big campaign by Amnesty brings her release in July but she is
banished from Uruguay by the military regime and is left at the border
with Argentina
1974-75
Imprisoned in Montevideo for 18 months following a military coup in
1973, she is recognised by Amnesty International as a ‘Prisoner of
Conscience’
1975
A big campaign by Amnesty brings her release in July but she is
banished from Uruguay by the military regime and is left at the border
with Argentina
1976
Military coup in Argentina
1977-78
In Buenos Aires, obtains certificates of education to teach Music and
Spanish while taking jobs as a cleaner
April 1978
Arrives in England from Argentina, travelling under United Nations
protection
Lives briefly in London, then Wolverhampton, before settling in
Leamington Spa, where she perfects her English and takes a teacher
training course at the Mid-Warwickshire College.
Joins Amnesty International and begins to speak in public about her
prison experience in Uruguay.
1982
Obtains permanent residency in the UK
1981-84
Teaches Spanish and French at the Trinity School, Leamington Spa
1984
Gives birth to Nelson, named after his grandfather as per family tradition
1984-89
Stops working full-time to devote more time to Ana and Nelson, but
provides supply teaching at various schools
1987
Divorces first husband and marries Richard Gillespie, senior lecturer
in Politics at the University of Warwick
1988
Regains her Uruguayan nationality, following her country’s return to
democracy
1989
Develops secretarial and administrative skills by joining the Skills
Development Agency, starting as a trainee in the accounts department
before becoming a development and training officer, responsible for
60 trainees, and finally personal assistant to the managing director
1991
Joins Real Time Consultants as a sales administrator
1992
Acquires British nationality
1994
Moves to Petersfield, Hampshire following husband’s appointment to a
Chair at Portsmouth University
Becomes a leading light in the local group and represents Amnesty
International in high-profile activities
Works as a temporary PA for the directors of Fourth Party services,
then becomes a secretary at Jacobs & Hunt estate agents in
Petersfield
1997
Promoted to Letting Manager at Jacobs & Hunt
2000
Moves to Mollington, near Chester, following Richard’s appointment to
the Chair in Politics at the University of Liverpool
2002
After working temporarily at BT, joins Matthews of Chester estate
agents, moving from part-time Letting Administrator to Letting
Manager and finally to Block Manager
2015
Retires from work and devotes more time to patchwork activities,
photography and travel, including visits to Cuba and Morocco and
regular travel to Spain
2019
Maria and Richard move to Upton, Chester, and become active in City
of Sanctuary, a charity promoting a culture of welcome and hospitality
for those who arrive seeking sanctuary from persecution and conflict
2021-26
Volunteer at charity shop of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd
2022-25
Co-chair of Chester and District Patchworkers and Quilters
2022-25
Membership secretary, Backford, Mollington & District Local History
Society
2026
Passes away in Palma, Mallorca; ashes scattered in the Wildflower Meadow at
Ness Gardens, Wirral