Remembering a loved one through giving - Mary's story
Tuesday 28 April 2026
Mary’s story is a powerful reminder of how life-changing the right support can be and how difficult it is when that support comes too late.
Today, awareness and understanding of dyslexia has improved, but there is still much more to do. We want to make sure every child and adult with dyslexia is recognised, supported and given the chance to thrive.
By leaving a gift in your will, we can help create a future where no one is held back by a lack of understanding. Legacy donations help fund research, training and support services that change lives every day.
We can also honour the people who matter most to us, just as Andrew has done for Mary, while helping build a future of opportunity, understanding and hope.
We were honoured that Mary Jacqueline Wheatley's family chose to fundraise for the BDA in her memory. Mary was an incredibly loved woman, whose gentle spirit will be greatly missed.
Mary Jacqueline Wheatley
My beloved sister Mary was the first child born to our parents, just after the Second World War.
It soon became apparent that Mary had learning difficulties, and it was advised that she attend The Collett School, a school for children with similar disorders. Unfortunately, dyslexia was not widely recognised in the UK until 1987, even though the first case study of "word blindness" had been published much earlier, in 1896, by British doctor William Pringle Morgan.
That recognition came too late for Mary. She struggled through school and eventually found employment as a seamstress. She worked for various companies, including the renowned luxury fashion house Aquascutum. Who knows who she made garments for? Sean Connery, Michael Caine, and the Prince of Wales were all patrons of the brand.
At home, Mary loved making clothes on her very sophisticated sewing machines.
Mary was a gentle spirit, with quiet determination and affection. She was meticulous in everything she did. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, and by the church she attended for many years.
"I am sure the fundraising for the British Dyslexia Association will be an enormous help and a wonderful way to honour the memory of my dear sister Mary."
Andrew Edward Wheatley
If you would like to find out how to leave a gift to the British Dyslexia Association in memory of a loved one, we are here to help.
A gift in your will is a lasting way to honour someone special while supporting future generations with dyslexia. It helps us continue our work in awareness, understanding and support.