Timeline

1958 - Born in Montevideo, Uruguay

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Educated at the José Enrique Rodó School, Montevideo

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1974 - Gives birth to Ana Maria

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Qualifies for teacher training, with A in History, A in Geography, B in Spanish and B in Maths

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1974-1975 - Imprisoned in Montevideo for 18 months following a military coup in1973, 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

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1976 - Military coup in Argentina

 

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1977-1978 - In Buenos Aires, obtains certificates of education to teach Music and Spanish while taking jobs as a cleaner

 

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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.

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1982 - Obtains permanent residency in the UK

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1981-1984 - Teaches Spanish and French at the Trinity School, Leamington Spa

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1984 - Gives birth to Nelson Martin, named after his grandfather in the family tradition

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1984-1989 - Stops working full-time to devote more time to Ana and Nelson, but provides supply teaching at various schools

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1987 - Marries Richard Gillespie, senior lecturer in Politics at the University of Warwick

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1988 - Regains her Uruguayan nationality, following her country’s return to democracy

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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

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1991 - Joins Real Time Consultants as a sales administrator

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1992 - Acquires British nationality

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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, Hampshire.

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1997 - Promoted to Letting Manager at Jacobs & Hunt

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1997 - Becomes Grandmother 'Nana' for the first time to Tristian Ruben

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2000 - Moves to Mollington, near Chester, following Richard’s appointment to the Chair in Politics at the University of Liverpool

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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

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2004-2009 - Becomes Grandmother 'Nana' to:

• Antonio Roberto Nelson

• Gabriella Christina Sarah

• Alicia Ana Elena

• Emilia Jessica Maria

• Lorenzo Richard Robert

 

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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

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2019 - Maria and Richard move to Upton, Chester, and becomes active in City of Sanctuary, a charity promoting a culture of welcome and hospitality for those who arrive seeking sanctuary from persecution and conflict

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2021-26 - Volunteer at charity shop of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd

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2022-25 - Co-chair of Chester and District Patchworkers and Quilters

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2022-25 - Membership secretary, Backford, Mollington & District Local History Society

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2026 - Passes away in Palma, Mallorca; ashes scattered in the Wildflower Meadow at Ness Gardens, Wirral