Bridgit passed way last Thursday morning, 19 February, at Portimão Hospital where she had been admitted since Tuesday night due to health complications said to have been caused by pneumonia.
Bridgit had dedicated her entire life to animal welfare, having been involved in projects in Asia before moving to Portugal more than three decades ago.
The vocal activist founded the Algarve’s first animal protection society, LAPS, in 1980 after moving to Odiáxere, Lagos.
This year LAPS will have completed 35 years of rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing the Algarve’s neglected animals.
Bridgit continued to be devoted to her cause despite debilitating health problems in recent years – including progressive blindness – having taken in a neglected horse just the week before her death.
The animals are currently being looked after by a team of carers and God-daughter Gail Morgan Smith; funeral details have yet to be announced.