Remembering Lily Smyth-Andrews

With first term in full swing here at Brentwood, it can be easy to get wrapped up in yourself, whether that be in schoolwork or in the pottery studio. But this week, Brentwood did what it does best: come together as a family. 

On October 1st, 2022, Lily Smyth-Andrews passed away. Lily was kind and compassionate, throwing herself into every aspect of Brentwood life, whether that was on the rugby pitch or singing in the musical. But most importantly, she was a Hopeling. 

Lily always filled Hope House with laughter, and with her passing, everything felt a little quieter. But in this grief, the community persevered. 

I remember the night we learned of Lily’s passing. Flowers poured in from every other house on campus with notes of support and condolence. I’ve never seen a community so thoughtful before. Situations such as these tend to either pull people apart or pull them together and I am so grateful to have experienced the latter. 

“The culture in the house had never been as strong” Tatum L, Hope ‘23 said in those following months, and I think that can be attributed to Lily's dads. They told us that we should remember Lily by doing all the things she loved, continuing her legacy in a positive way.   

On the anniversary of Lily's death, the Brentwood community are once again supporting each other. On October 1st, 2023 there was a fire down by the water to watch the sunset and listen to music, remembering Lily in the way she would have wanted, with “a ton of friends and joy” reflected Charli S, Hope ‘23. 

I’d like to extend a massive thank you to Ms Murray and the B-Well team for putting together the events to honour Lily in the right way. Your kindness and compassion never go unnoticed. 

Inara W, Hope ‘23