A Garston resident has traced her long-lost half-sister after more than 60 years.
Hilary Purvis, 71, has lived in Garston most of her life and volunteers at Keech Hospice Charity Shop on The Gossamers five mornings a week.
Hilary was adopted at just six weeks old and decided two years ago she wanted to find her biological family.
With the help of adoption agency Birth Link, she was able to get in contact with her younger half-sister Sharon Smith who lives in Derby.
Hilary said: “I decided about two years ago to find out about my biological mother. My adoptive mother told me when I was 14 years old that I could find out about my biological family, but at the time I never took it up because I was quite happy as I was.”
Sadly, Hilary has missed her chance to meet her biological mother, as she has now discovered she passed away in 2011. Hilary’s other family members have also died or live abroad. However, Hilary is overjoyed to have found her younger half-sister, Sharon.
She explained her excitement: “I can’t wait to meet her; we are in touch constantly and chat as if we have known each other for years. Sharon has told her daughter who is in her early thirties about me. They are both longing to meet me.”
Hilary is so pleased to have been united with Sharon that she is considering a move to Derbyshire where her half-sister lives and works as a surgical nurse.
Councillor Jennifer Pattinson said: “It’s been a real pleasure as the councillor for Meriden ward to meet Hilary and to hear her story and see the joy she has felt getting in touch with her sister. Hilary is a credit to the ward, spending her time working at the charity shop at The Gossamer and previously helping at the community centre with coffee mornings. I hope Hilary gets to meet Sharon and her daughter soon.”
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