Deaths 2014-15

ABISOGUN-ALO. On 13 June2015, Olugbolahan ModupefoluOlubunmi (Abisogun) MA (1958History).

Olu, daughter of a Nigerianchief, arrived in College fromLagos in 1958 to study History.Graduating in 1961 shereturned home to marriage and a distinguished career.There she gained further qualifications and, through herwork in teaching and administration, proved a significantforce in the encouragement of education in Nigeria.

The award in 2005 of an honorary doctorate by LagosUniversity for services in Educational Administrationrecognized the achievements of her multi-faceted career.Her professional life included a series of challenging posts,mainly in Nigeria but also abroad. She was Head ofHistory (1977-79) and Vice Principal of Queen’s College,Lagos, International Secretary of UNESCO’s NationalCommission (1979-82), founding Principal of the FederalGovernment Girls’ College in Abuja (1982-85), and laterPrincipal of the Government College, Lagos (1986-91).Director of Primary and Secondary Education in theMinistry of Education 1991-92, she became Director withSpecial Duties in 1993-94. In ‘retirement’ she ran aneducational consultancy. Further appointments – Pro-Chancellor, for instance, and Chairman of Council of twouniversities and Secretary of the National Forum forAfrican Women’s Education – kept her fully occupied.

At her 50-year reunion Olu spoke movingly of the supportshe received as an undergraduate and of the internationalgroup of friends she made. She was a big-hearted,passionate Girtonian, a deeply spiritual Christian, devotedmother and grandmother and a woman possessed ofindomitable courage. Motivated by high values and strongprinciples, Olus’ life was spent in service to hercompatriots.

Notice by Dorothy J Thompson (Walbank 1958; Fellow1965).

AFZAL KHAN. On 21 February2015, Shayan Mishal MA (1982History).

Shayan, known as Poppy, was anauthor and social activist. She wasdeeply interested in the cause ofeducation in Pakistan and in thesocial and intellectual development of the youth.

After leaving college she worked as a research analyst atthe parliament in Islamabad and then at the UniversityGrants Commission. While convalescing from her firstbrush with cancer she researched the lives of the earlywomen of Islam to dispel the image of Muslim women asinferior and oppressed and to highlight their active roles inpublic life. Her book Unveiling the Ideal: A new Look atEarly Muslim Women was published in 2007.

In 2010, in Islamabad she set up Kuch Khaas – a vibrantnot-for-profit community space for discourse, learningand entertainment – which has been described as havingtransformed the city. From here Poppy led many civiccampaigns working with all layers of society to forge aprogressive, pluralistic and tolerant attitude withinPakistan.

Although she developed a charismatic public persona,Poppy was an intensely private person. She battled cancerfor 14 years with immense courage and dignity and gaveunstintingly of her time to comfort and support othersnewly diagnosed with the same disease.

A week before she died Poppy was at an anti-Talibanprotest in the bitter London winter, standing up for whatshe believed in. We, her family, had no idea of the impactshe had made on thousands of young lives until after shehad left us. Such was her influence that all the nationalnewspapers carried an obituary. One wrote “Poppy AfzalKhan was a staple name among not just the highbrow inIslamabad but a relied upon presence when it came tostanding up for the right kind of cause ... such was herpersona that her passing gave Islamabad a moment ofpause to actually take in the great loss the city hadsuffered”. Another obituary stated “Poppy may have leftus, her family, her friends, her admirers and her followers,all so inconsolable; but she will live on through thecopious numbers of ‘Poppy-seeds’ that she scatteredthroughout Pakistan and beyond...”

Poppy is survived by her daughters Shahbano andShahnoor Abbas.

Edited notice by her sister, Zishan Afzal Khan (1977History).

ALDOUS. On 30 September 2013, Inez Rosemary BA,MB, BChir (1947 Natural Sciences).

Rosemary, as she was known, was born on the Isle ofWight, the daughter of Brigadier James and Nancy (néeMorse) Aldous, and educated at Cheltenham Ladies’College. She achieved a first class degree and awardedthe Crewdson Prize. Rosemary completed her clinicalcourse at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. Aftergaining a Diploma in Child Health, and a Diploma inPublic Health, Rosemary specialised in paediatrics.

During the 1950s she held various appointments in thesouth of England, including Gloucester Hospital, RoyalSouth Hampshire, Southampton Children’s Hospital, Kent& Canterbury Hospital and in 1958 spent a year as a GP.

She returned to hospital work at Fountain Hospital, andthen was appointment Chief Medical Officer forBuckinghamshire. Other appointments followed, atLuton, Northampton and West Suffolk. She retired in1983.

BAKER. On 7 November 2014,June Dorothy (Leader) MA (1945English).

Upon graduation, June taughtfor a year in Worcester, beforereturning to Girton to becomeAssistant Librarian whilestudying for her MA (which shegained in 1950). She spent the next 4 years teaching inSouthend, and in 1954 was appointed Senior EnglishMistress at St. Helen’s, Northwood, becoming its fourthHeadmistress in 1966, a position she held for the next 20years.

June’s determination to meet the needs of her expandingschool led to the fond nicknames of ‘Bricks Leader’, as shewas the driving force behind the building and remodellingof many areas of the School. The incredible material legacywhich she left behind almost matches the remarkabledegree to which she fostered inspirational relationshipswith all pupils and staff, and the genuine interest sheshowed in their individual concerns. June retired 1986 butcontinued her involvement with St. Helen’s through theAlumnae Association, becoming its President in 1998, aposition she continued to fulfil with enthusiasm right upuntil her death in 2014.

June’s final Headmistress’ report sums up her devotion toSt Helen’s and its girls beautifully: ‘To watch them grow upand have a small part in their development, is a greatprivilege: it has been my good fortune to do this, and toteach a – dare I say, the supreme – subject, and I amthankful for the life in this school.’

Edited notice by Dr Mary Short, St Helen’s School,Northwood.

BLACK. On 19 February 2015, Agnes Mary Black (Rayner)BA (1929 Natural Sciences).

Agnes was born at Teddington to Dr Edwin Hartree Rayner,Superintendent of the National Physical Laboratory,Teddington, and Agnes Styles, an artist. She was educatedat Wimbledon High School and Bedales School beforecoming up to College. She was awarded the Wiltshire Prizefor proficiency in Geology and Mineralogy (bracketed) bythe University and the Mary Sparke Scholarship by theCollege. After graduation she undertook a Housing EstateManagement training course followed by an appointmentwith the Ecclesiastical Commissioners’ Estate, Walworth, in1936. She married Maurice Black in August 1939. Heryounger sister, Dorothy Rayner, also read Natural Sciencesat Girton, and was a Bye-Fellow of the College (1936-38).Agnes was 104 years old when she died.

BRAMWELL. In 2013, Daphne Harold (Bradford) MA(1933 Natural Sciences).

Daphne came up to Girton as both her mother, RachelAnna (Wright 1901) and her older sister, Diana (Bradford1931), had done before her. After studying Biochemistry inher last year, she did a course in dietetics, and aPostgraduate Diploma at King’s College of Dietetics inLondon. Between 1939-1940 she worked as Cook-catererat Queen Anne’s School, Caversham. She then had anappointment as Food Supervisor at the Three-CountiesEmergency Hospital, Arlesey, until May 1942, when shemarried Dr John Byrom Bramwell. They had twodaughters.

BROOKS. On 9 February 2013,Sheelagh Mary (Foster-Smith)MA (1940 English).

Judy, to her family, arrived atGirton having spent the earlymonths of the war as atemporary Civil Servant inLytham Saint Annes. Althoughshe enjoyed her studies at Girton, like many others of hergeneration, she was drawn to war service and joined theATS, where she was seconded to Intelligence. She trainedin signals at Bletchley Park before seeing service in Cairo,Jerusalem and Italy.

When Sheelagh was demobilised she returned to Girton tocomplete her degree. There she met and married HughBrooks, (Emmanuel, 1938), also a forces returnee.

Some years after the births of Marian and Ralph, Sheelaghtook up teaching English. She won universal praise as agood, successful and attentive teacher, though her familyknew that the public, theatrical side of the job did notcome easily to her because she was very reserved and shythroughout her life.

Sheelagh and Hugh enjoyed an active life outside work,and were keen caravanners and campers. After retirement,they settled in Manningtree, Essex, where Sheelagh’s lovefor gardening became ever more all-encompassing. Insummer her garden was often opened for local charities.She also took an active interest in local history, andvolunteered for Meals on Wheels into her eighties, whenshe was older than many of her clients!

After Hugh died in 2010, Sheelagh’s mobility and eyesightdeclined, but she stayed cheerful. She enjoyed visits fromchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her sister,Anne. She kept in touch with her old Girton friend andcontemporary, Irene Wainwright Snatt, who during theseyears came to see her on several family occasions and shereturned the visit for Irene’s ninetieth birthday.

Sheelagh died peacefully in her own home, aged ninety-two.

Notice by her daughter, Marian Brooks-Sardinha.

CARPENTER. In 2015, MarionEthel MA (1942 English; 1944Theology).

Marion was a first class studentin both English, for which shewas awarded the BarringtonPrize, and Theology. After a yearat the London UniversityInstitute of Education, she taught English at severalgrammar schools, including Selhurst Grammar,Northampton School for Girls and Mary Datchelor Schoolin Camberwell Grove, ending her professional career atGypsy Hill Training College on Kingston Hill. Havingenjoyed teaching, for many years she ran a University ofthe Third Age literature group in Wimbledon and attendedU3A groups in Richmond where she lived. She died at StMary’s Convent and Nursing Home in Chiswick, aged 90.

Notice by Dr Jackie E M Latham.

CHURCH. On 9 December 2014, Margaret Ransom MA(1943 Mathematics).

Margaret Church was born in Halifax in 1924, thedaughter of Francis Harold Church, a grocery manager,and Sarah Sharp, a bookkeeper and cashier. She waseducated at the Princess Mary High School, Halifax andcame to Girton College as an Exhibitioner in 1943 to studymathematics. She trained as a teacher at the CambridgeTraining College for Women, 1946-47, and taught atQueenswood School, Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

CLARK. On 5 May 2014, Alison(Lathbury) MA (1952 Geography).

Alison was born in Kenya toRobert and Marjorie Lathbury,and attended schools in Nakuruwhere her father was a colonialcivil servant. She completed herschooling at St Felix School inSouthwold, and despite the fact that she disliked publicspeaking, she became Head Girl. As well as her academicwork Alison was a Cambridge Blue in Hockey, and playedfor both the College and the University.

After graduation she became a teaching assistant, and in1957 a Research Assistant in Meteorology andOceanography at the University of Wisconsin. Here shemade good friends for life and gained an MSc at the sametime.

She returned to the UK in 1959 to work as a ResearchAssistant to David Brachi, Professor of Climatology, at HullUniversity and was awarded a Diploma in Social Science in1963. She particularly enjoyed driving a Land Roverbetween Bridlington and Spurn taking fortnightlyphotographs showing the different changes, includingdisappearances of the beaches. She also jointly publishedan article called ‘Some observations of currents in the

hypolimnion of Lake Mendota’ in Limnology andOceanography, Volume 5, No 4, 1960.

She married David Clark, Vicar of St John Walthamstow,1964 and had two children, Hilary and Jonathan.Throughout his ministry Alison supported David in manyways. Sadly, Jonathan was born with spina bifida whichinvolved many visits to see in Carshalton Hospital. This didnot prevent Alison from helping David to collate themonthly Parish Magazine, taking a major part in theirentertaining and helping him prepare for nearly fiftyGarden Openings.

Her photograph is a particular memory, for David, of herbrainwave of using friable molehill soil for giving youngtrees a good start in Kimmeridge clay!

Edited notice by her husband, David Clark.

CLIFFE. On 9 November 2014,Rosemary Janet (Morton) MA(1952 Mathematics).

Born and brought up inBirmingham, she attendedEdgbaston High School for Girlsbefore coming up to Girton witha College minor scholarship toread mathematics. She graduated in 1955 and stayed inCambridge gaining the Postgraduate Diploma inmathematical statistics in 1956. Rosemary played an activepart in College life and was a keen hockey and tennisplayer.

Her first employment was as a statistician with the MedicalResearch Council Unit for Research on Climate andWorking Efficiency in the Department of Anatomy, OxfordUniversity. The focus of the research was the effect ofextreme conditions such as high and low temperatures onthe ability to work and she was a co-author of severalpublications in the scientific literature. In Oxford she metEric Cliffe (Jesus Cambridge 1953) with whom she had twodaughters and enjoyed 54 years of married life. Theymoved to Nottingham where for some years Rosemarytaught mathematics at Nottingham Girls High School.

She was a granddaughter of a former President of theRoyal Astronomical Society and she maintained an interestin astronomy throughout her life. Amongst her otherinterests she was a member and sometime treasurer of theNottingham branch of the Federation of University Women.

Edited notice by her husband, Eric Cliffe.

COPE. In 2014, Doreen Davies (Seddon) MA (1947 History).

Doreen was born at Leigh in Lancashire to William, a CivilServant, and Doris Davies. She was educated at John BrightCounty School in Llandudno. After graduation she becamea student nurse at Beaumont House, St Ebba’s Hospital,Surrey.

COX. On 23 October 2014, Margaret Lissant BA MB BCHIR(1938 Natural Sciences).

Margaret was born in Salford, the daughter of GeorgeLissant Cox, a medical practitioner and Sarah MargueritaHowarth. Like her father, Margaret went into medicine,completing her training at Liverpool University MedicalSchool. Further posts in Liverpool followed, as HouseSurgeon at both the Liverpool Stanley Hospital and theMaternity Hospital, and gained further qualifications(MRCS and LRCP) in 1943. She was also a member of theRoyal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) at that time. In 1950she became a General Practitioner in Leek, NorthStaffordshire and remained so until her retirement in 1986.She maintained her interest in ‘College fortunes’ andattended meetings of The Manchester Association ofCambridge University Women.

CROOK. In 2014, Lois Margaret (Bower) MA (1944Modern and Medieval Languages).

Lois, known as Margaret, was born in London to Sir FrankBower, a Fiscal Advisor and Ethel Shaw. Her father, sisterRuth and brother all studied at Cambridge; Ruth Lloyd-Thomas was also at Girton (Bower 1943). Whilst studyingFrench and Spanish, Margaret was also interested in sportand gained a Cricket Blue. After graduating she did a yearat Marlborough Gate Secretarial College in London, andworked as a Secretary, first at British Celanese Limited andthen at the Conservative Central Office in London. Shereturned to Cambridge in 1950 to take a Certificate inEducation at Homerton College and embarked on ateaching career at Princess Helena College, Hitchin, andthen Ursuline High School, Brentwood. She married PhilipCrook, a farmer, in January 1961 and they had a son,Timothy. As a voluntary political worker, she was a formerVice-president of the North Dorset ConservativeAssociation and also Chairman of the Women’s AdvisoryCommittee.

CROSSMAN. On 29 August2013, Patricia Marie Carter(Amy) MA (1950 English; 1952Moral Sciences).

Patricia was born in Exeter, theonly daughter of Hedley andMarie Amy. She was educatedat Allerton High School, Leedsand Colston’s Girls’ School in Bristol before coming up toGirton. After graduation, she took a Social SciencesCertificate course at the London School of Economics. Patthen held appointments as a Social Care worker atKingswood Classifying School, an assistant researchworker at the Bristol Social Project and Psychiatric SocialWorker at the Child Guidance Clinic in Reading.

She met Edward, a Chief Psychology Lecturer at Oxford,and they were married in 1958. They had two sons, Robertand Martin, and the family moved to California in 1964,when Edward was offered a teaching position at University

College, Berkeley. Becoming a Licensed Clinical SocialWorker in 1969, Pat took up a post at Cowell Hospital inCalifornia, pioneering the practice of group therapy. Shewent into private practice and continued there until 1985.As a lifelong critic of what she referred to as ‘therapiesbased on false science’ she wrote an online paper, TheEtiology of a Social Epidemic, which was published in2005.

She is survived by her sons, Robert and Martin Crossman,and her four grandchildren, Francis, Ruth, Chloe andRobin.

CURRY. On 3 June 2014, NorahMA (1935 History).

Daughter of Rev. ArthurLlewellyn Curry and Jane LillianEverett, Norah was born in thevicarage at Ingrow nearKeighley, five years before herbrother John. Their happychildhood established Norah’s strong Christian roots and alasting connection to Yorkshire. The family moved to theSuffolk parish of Bucklesham in 1926 and to Ipswich in1942, a year after John died, aged 19, on active service inthe RAF. By that time Norah had completed her educationat Keighley Grammar School, Cheltenham Ladies Collegeand Cambridge, and decided to become a FactoryInspector. Her entry being delayed, first by her age andthen by the war, Norah took an engineering course atLoughborough College and worked in industry beforejoining HMFI in 1941 as one of a few lady TemporaryInspectors.

Promoted to Inspector 1A in 1962 Norah was transferredto HMFI HQ at 8 St. James’s Square where she stayed untilgiven responsibility for Bethnal Green District 1966.Formidable in her large hat, Norah could quell anyopposition with a frosty glare and a few firm words’Appointed Deputy Superintending Inspector in 1971Norah worked in Glasgow until she retired in 1977.

Highlights of her later years included Norah’s participationin the book launch of ‘Women of Courage’ 1993celebrating 100 years of women in the FactoryInspectorate, and in 1998 she shared the joyful 50thanniversary of the recognition of women’s degrees atCambridge with many fellow students, including herlongstanding friends Peggy Bryant (Girton) and CynthiaYates (Newnham).

Tributes to Norah extol her pragmatism, determination,and indomitable spirit but it was characteristically discreetof her to forbid any ‘going on about my life’ in meticulousinstructions for her funeral at St John’s Church, Ingrow. Ihope Norah would not have disapproved of this beingwritten for Girton College now.

Edited notice by her goddaughter, Phyllida Edwards.

EVANS. On 31 October 2014, Margaret Blacklock BA(1942 Geography).

Margaret did not consider herself one of ‘Cambridge’sacademic luminaries’, but was grateful for the insights thatshe gained from her education. She was also a keenswimmer and became Captain of the Cambridge Women’sSwimming Team in 1944-45. She continued swimmingthroughout her life including breaking a number of worldrecords in the 60-75 age groups up to the Millennium yearafter which she retired from competition.

She lived and taught mainly in the Black Country andBirmingham until December 1965 when she moved to Ilford,as Headmistress of Beal Grammar Schools for Girls. She wasreappointed in September 1974 to lead the creation ofSeven Kings High School by joining Beal Girls to Downshall(co-educational) Secondary School in Meads Lane.Comprehensive schools were still in their pioneer days andthere was much to learn to cater for an increasinglymulticultural population and to promote social cohesion.

Margaret retired in August 1985 and was appointed OBE forservices to education in the New Year’s Honours list 1986. Indoing so Margaret felt that she was ‘wearing the lootbrought in by all those who fought the daily armadas’.

Her other interests were Ashurst Drive Baptist Church,interfaith organisations, racial and social equality and variouscommunity and environmental groups. She also supportedthe campaign for biodiversity as a Friend of the NaturalHistory Museum and volunteer Friend of Kew Gardens. Atthe age of 90 she was still making the journey every Mondayfrom Redbridge to Kew to fulfil her love of the natural worldand interest in botany.

FOX. On 29 September 2014,Amanda Jane MA (1968 NaturalSciences).

Amanda was born in Londonalthough she spent her earlychildhood in Nigeria, beforeindependence, where her fatherwas a District Officer. Then due toschool commitments she was sent to live with a Vicar andhis family in Cornwall, who already had five children of hisown, and were she began her love for nature. She thenwent back to Nigeria to see her parents for the holidays,travelling by plane on her own between the ages of 6 and 9.Later she became a very accomplished sailor, and with herfirst husband, won many trophies.

Amanda was a former teacher of King Edward VI School,Bury St. Edmunds as well as a former school governor andchairman, and founded the Bury Practice for Counsellingand Psychotherapy which became her passion and maincareer. She led the first founding committee for Bury inBloom in 1986 (Bury St. Edmunds) and was known for her‘amazing’ gardening skills, ‘incredible lust for life’ and loveof nature and wildlife. Amanda’s youngest daughter,Katherine, praised her ‘unfailing courage, love, honesty,

integrity, dignity and imagination’, as well as her ‘sharpintelligence and kindness,’ ‘serenity and cheerfulness’.

Edited notice by her husband, Christopher Waterworth.

GILBERT-CARTER. On 4 July 2014, Daphne Elizabeth(Pickering-Jones) MA (1930 Classics; 1932 Moral Sciences).

Daphne lived most of her life in the United States with herhusband John (Trinity College, Cambridge, 1929) and fourchildren. After being a housewife and mother for manyyears, Daphne attended the University of Maryland and wasawarded Master in Library Science in 1969. She worked forseveral years as a reference librarian at the Brooking Institutein Washington, D.C. and then 1973 became an outsideresearcher and assistant for the Oxford English Dictionary,retiring in 1993 at the age of 81. She is survived by threechildren, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren,who have all been inspired by her curious mind andunbounded energy to learn.

Edited notice by her daughter, Sarah Carter.

GOODWIN. On 20 September2014, Inge Dorothea Rosi(Simon) BA (1942 Natural Sciences).

Born to Jewish parents in Berlinin 1923, Inge came to Englandin 1932 as her father foresawthe threat posed by Nazism.She attended Henrietta BarnettSchool in London and won a place to read Natural Sciences atGirton, where she made lifelong friendships with DorothyThompson (nee Towers), Marjorie Wissler and Mollie Rotheray(nee Barber). In May 1943 she married Dennis Goodwin,enjoyed a weekend of married life before he was posted toAfrica for three years, and then returned to Cambridge torequest retrospective permission to marry from the Mistress.

After graduation, she worked as a lab assistant at theCourtauld Institute until the birth of her daughter in 1949,wrote a series of Letters to Bremen on life in London for theBBC, and in 1953 published her first novel, Bury Me in Lead,which received excellent reviews. Her son was born in 1954,and for the rest of her life she displayed astonishing energy inmany spheres. As well as bringing up two children andmanaging two homes and gardens, she was a constanthostess to visitors from all over the world, a school governor,a Labour activist, a busy translator from the German (mainlyof books and articles on music and art), and a friend andhelper to many.

Inge had an extraordinary memory, an informed love of botharts and science, and great curiosity about the world. Sheonce declared that her Desert Island Discs luxury would be aGirton register and a pen, adding that that she'd be perfectlywell occupied on her island making up stories about the livesthese women might go on to lead.

Notice by her son, Alan Goodwin.

HARBEN. On 11 August 2014,Philippa Mary Burford (Shorter)BA (1953 History).

Formerly a BBC World Serviceannouncer, her voice had beenknown to millions of listenersaround the world. Always with anose in a book or newspaper, shewas a one-off, eccentric, charming, and generous. Sheadored her cats, sculpture, films and theatre.

From Clifton High School, she gained a place at Girtonreading History. She married Roger Harben, the son of PhilipHarben, the television chef, but later divorced.

At the BBC she trained alongside Esther Ranzen as a StudioManager, later in the ‘60s becoming an announcer whenBush House first allowed women to read the news. In 1982on an epic trip to China she discovered a village with itspond, water buffalo, solid wooden-wheeled carts – a reallive model of the medieval village she’d studied atCambridge!

Living in a London flat above a room being used by PinkFloyd for rehearsal, the street was being deafened. One dayafter a night-shift she padded barefoot into their room in hernightie, went over to their mixer, and turned it down, saying“Just 4 dB – you won’t go deaf and I’ll be able to sleep.”Stunned they asked how she knew about dB and they wereamenable after that.

Pippa died just short of her 80th birthday. I miss thelaughter. She confessed her best spoonerism occurred whenshe misread an agricultural story with the words: “a talk liftf***... Ooohps, I’ll read that again – a fork lift truck!”

Edited notice by her friend and colleague, Rosemary Arthy.

HENDERSON. On 6 April 2014, Janet Mason MA (1947Classics).

After gaining her degree, she continued to study and wasawarded a BD (Bachelor of Divinity, London), a CambridgeCertificate of Education at Hughes Hall and later aCertificate of the Graduate School of Ecumenical Studies.Initially she became a teacher of Classics at Sutton HighSchool in Surrey before embarking on an administrativecareer, firstly as an Adult Education Officer, for the LondonDiocesan Council for Voluntary Religious Education, then asan Editorial Assistant for the United Society for thePropagation of the Gospel, with special responsibility for theSociety’s periodicals. In 1966 she joined the Christian Aidorganisation with responsibility initially for Christian AidWorld Poverty Campaign and the British Council ofChurches’ Standing Committee on Migration; later secondedin 1971 to the Community and Race Relations Unit asuccessor to the BCC Standing Committee on Migration andwas promoted from Secretary to Deputy Director. She wastherefore intimately concerned with the formation anddevelopment of the Unit and had a number of dutiesincluding close involvement with working parties on

legislation (in particular the Immigration Act 1971 and itsadministration) and on the use of church properties forcommunity activities in multiracial areas. This brought herinto contact with a wide range of individuals andorganisations in the community and race relations field, aswell as Churches of all denominations both centrally andlocally. At Cambridge Janet also gained a Cricket Blue 1948and a Rowing Blue 1949.

HOLL. On 26 June 2014, BarbaraIsabel (Burne) BA (1947 Modernand Medieval Languages).

Barbara came up to Girton fromMorecombe Grammar School toread French and German in theModern and Medieval LanguagesTripos. She was awarded theJoseph Brandebourg Prize for first class results in Part I,French (1948) and also received the Sheldon Prize in 1949.After graduation she continued her study in London and wasawarded a Diploma in Education in 1951.

She married Peter Holl on 16 July 1951 and took up her firstteaching post was at Sittingbourne Grammar School in thesame year. Barbara was at home for a few years during the1950s bringing up their family of five daughters.

She returned to teaching French in 1965, at HomelandsGrammar School and retired as Head of Modern Languagesin 1980.

In retirement, Barbara and Peter lived in Wiltshire where theyenjoyed walking or cycling over the Downs as well as severaltreks in the Himalayas. Her many interests led her, like W.S.Landor (1775-1864), to warm ‘both hands before the fire ofLife’ and, in so doing, brought warmth to others. She isgreatly missed by her husband of 64 years, her family andmany friends.

Edited notice by her husband, Peter Holl.

HOLLINGS. On 29 April 2014, Olwen (Stone) MA PhD (1948Natural Sciences).

After graduating, Olwen was awarded an Ethel SargentResearch Studentship to work on septoria and scelerotiniadiseases of Gladiolus gaining a PhD in 1957. She wasappointed mycologist, later Senior Scientific Officer, andthen Principal Scientific Officer at Glasshouse Crops ResearchInstitute at Littlehampton, known as the AgriculturalResearch Council (ARC) when they took over full control offunding, staffing and the research programme in 1956.

During the 30 years of work, at the ARC, she publishednumerous papers on plant virology in various scientificjournals, many jointly with her husband Dr Michael Hollings,whom she had married in December 1971. Olwen hadinterests in Natural History, Music and Languages and was amember of the RSPB, National Trust and the RoyalHorticultural Society.

HOLLINGTON. On 12 June 2014,Eleanor Gwen (Paxton) MA (1938Modern and MedievalLanguages).

Gwen was born in Cairo, to BasilPaston, a government official inthe Egyptian Ministry of theInterior, and Gwendoline Parr, aformer Hockey Captain for Ireland and later a championgolfer. When her parents retired, they went to live in Parisand Gwen was educated at the Lycee des Jeunes Filles inSt Germain-en-Laye, and then Roedean School, whereshe excelled at sport. Benefiting from her mother’ssporting genes, she won blues at both lacrosse and lawntennis at Cambridge.

After receiving her degree in French and German, Gwenwas immediately recruited by the Foreign Office to workas a linguist at the code-breaking facility at Bletchley Park.She started work there at the height of the fight to keepopen the Allied supply lines across the Atlantic, andworked in Hut 4, Block A, Naval Section, receivingdecrypted enemy naval messages from the code-breakingnerve centre in Hut 8, headed by Alan Turing, andtranslating them from German. She also vividlyremembered Churchill’s visit in September 1941.

At the end of the war she went into civilian life, takingjobs as a literary assistant at a firm of publishers and thenas private secretary to the Chairman of Fire Officers’Committee. In 1947 she married Barrie Hollington, whomshe had met through his cousins who had been atRoedean with her. They had four sons and one daughter.The family moved to Harpenden, Herts, in 1953, whereshe continued to live until her death. She was widowed in1964 and left with the five children to bring up on herown.

She taught at a local girls’ preparatory school and, for ashort period, a comprehensive school in the area. She wasa great supporter of junior county tennis and was made aVice-President of the Herts Lawn Tennis Association. Shewas also a long-standing member of Mid-Herts Golf Cluband was still playing past her 90th birthday.

She is survived by five children, twelve grandchildren andfour great-grandchildren.

Edited notice by her son, Robin Hollington.

HOLLOWAY. Doris Mary (Copple) MA (1950 Classics).

Doris, known as Mary, was born in Kenfig-Hill,Glamorgan, South Wales, to police constable FrancisLeslie Copple and Iris Anne Price, a grocer and sub-Post-Mistress and was educated at Mary Datchelor Girls’School, Camberwell Grove. She described coming up toCambridge as ‘The intoxicating feeling of being treated asan adult’ and was delighted with the ‘mass of possibleclubs available outside one's own subject’. And also theexperience of ‘being thrown together with so many like-

minded people of all classes – a world of its own’. Aftergraduating she studied for the National Retail DistributionCertificate and became a Trainee Buyer, later Under-buyerand finally Buyer for Bentalls of Kingston. In 1955 she leftBentalls to run her parents grocery and Post-Office. Marymarried Peter Webster Holloway in 1957, and they hadtwo daughters, Tracey and Bryony.

JEFFERIES. On 22 May 2014,Sheelagh MA (1944 History).

Sheelagh went to HarrogateGrammar School before comingto Girton to read History underthe distinguished and inspiringProfessor Helen Cam. There wereeight of us reading History in thatyear, and we were a very close group.

After graduating Sheelagh worked at Chatham House asan Archivist for the Royal Institute of International Affairs.In 1951 she went to Smith College, Northampton, Mass,USA on a year's Trust Fellowship. On her return from theStates her career was one of steady promotion, includingposts at the Central Office of Information; Press Officer inthe Prime Minister's Office; in the Privy Council Office;the Ministry of Housing and Local Government; Head ofParliamentary Liaison Unit in the Department ofEnvironment; in the Department of Prices and ConsumerProtection; Director, Overseas Press and Radio andController (Home). In 1983 Sheelagh became DeputyDirector of the COI, and for her work there wasappointed CBE in 1988.

Sheelagh worked so hard at her career that it is notsurprising that her fellow Girtonians lost touch with her.It was not until 1992, when she was persuaded to cometo a Girton Reunion weekend for those up before 1953,which we met again. This reunion was joyfully followedby others – one in 1994 when the seven survivors of ouroriginal eight met to mark the 50th anniversary of theirmatriculation, and the great one in 1998 at Girton for thespecial 50th anniversary of being admitted into fullmembership of the University, and the last in 2004.

She was still the same neat and precise Sheelagh, alwayswell dressed, fun to be with, interesting to talk to. Shelived in Richmond, so it was easy to meet in London, forthose of us who were near. For the more far off friendsconversation could be by telephone.

Edited words by her friends, Daphne Hope (Boutwood1944) and Vera Easton (Elliott 1944).

KARARAH. On 1 March 2015,Azza Mohamed Abdel Halim MAPhD (1950 English).

Azza Kararah came to Girton asan affiliated student. Studyingfirst for the English Tripos (1952),she expeditiously gained her PhDin 1955. These were happy timeswhen Azza, lodging at Madingley Hall, made a lifetimegroup of Girton friends and met her future husband, theancient historian Mostafa El Abbadi. They married in 1957and their children were born in 1958 and 1961.

Her father, Mohamed Abdel Halim Kararah, a civil servanthad met her German mother, Margot Dzialoszynski, whenstudying in Göttingen. Azza herself, of an internationalistbent, was fluent in German, French and English as well ofcourse as Arabic. She was born in Cairo but her schoolingand first BA were from Alexandria, where she lived for mostof her life in an elegant apartment overlooking the GreatHarbour. In 1955 she gained her first post in the EnglishDepartment of Alexandria University, serving asDepartmental Chair in 1969-1972. There were visitingprofessorships too: in 1966-1969, Founding Chair of theEnglish Department, Arab University of Beirut (returning in1980-84 and 1992-94); Saudi Arabia: 1980, King SaudUniversity, Riyad; 1983, College of Arts for Girls, Damam.Wherever she taught, Professor Azza encouraged herstudents to aim high.

In her published work Azza was concerned to make Englishwriters better known in Arabic; among other works shetranslated Everyman. The Englishwoman in Egypt (Cairo2003), her edited letters of Sophia Poole, stands on theshelves of the Girton Library, a college she rememberedwith affection.

Notice by Dorothy J Thompson (Walbank, 1958; Fellow1965).

LAMB. On 3 June 2015, MargaretMA (1952 Geography).

Margaret was born in theNorthumberland village ofLongframlington where her fatherwas employed as a clerk for thelocal colliery, and later moved toanother mining community atShilbottle. Margaret excelled at the local school and at theDuchess’s Grammar School, Alnwick. At the time, it wasunusual for anyone from the mining villages to go toUniversity and so when Margaret was accepted at Girton,it was celebrated at The Miners Picnic – a big day in theircalendar. Sadly, her mother died and the family was split up;Margaret came to Cambridge while her brother went toboarding school. After graduating, Margaret worked insystems development for International Computers beforedeciding to study for a teaching diploma at BirminghamUniversity. She taught, and passed on her enthusiasm forGeography, at Dick Sheppard’s Comprehensive School in

London and rose to be Head of Geography, enjoying manyyears of teaching and running field trips. Margaret sufferedfrom Manic Depression/Bi Polar Disorder and had to giveup teaching, but soon went into administrative work at theRoyal College of Music, where she stayed for a number ofyears. In 1988 she moved to the North East to be nearer toher brother, Kenneth, and his family. She had a busy andfulfilling social life in Tynemouth, being an active memberof the church and the Labour Party, and also enjoyed thetheatre and musical evenings. Margaret always kept intouch with, and supported Girton College and theDuchess’s School at Alnwick, and attended reunion eventsin recent years.

Edited notice by her brother, Ken Lamb.

LIGHTBURNE. On 29 April 2015,Sylvia Joan MA (1946 Classics).

After gaining a First Class Degreein Classics, Sylvia went to LadyMargaret Hall, in Oxford to studyfor a doctorate but sadly this wascurtailed by her father’s suddendeath in October that year. It wasduring this time that she began to feel called to teaching.

Her teaching life began at Benenden and later at WatfordGrammar School. In 1964, Sylvia was appointedHeadmistress of Northampton High School for Girls where“she oversaw a period of great development, includingsubstantial improvements in results and pupil numbers,and a more outgoing spirit.” She was described as “anextraordinary person and an exceptional Head Teacher.”She retired in 1988 to a house nearby in West Hunsburywhich she shared with her good friend Yvonne Chapman,her former deputy head. She continued to take a keeninterest in the School until her death.

The current Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Dixon, describesSylvia as “a forward-thinking educationalist, a kindheadmistress, and a great benefactor to the school in manyways.

Sylvia’s gifts and enthusiasm were not confined to theSchool. She helped found a branch of the Samaritans inNorthampton, was involved in Diocesan work and wasa ‘pillar’ of wisdom and prayer at her local Church ofSt Benedict.

Many tributes were paid to Sylvia at her funeral on 18 May2015. She was greatly loved and admired by her family andall who knew her.

Edited notice by her brother-in-law, Alan Clarkson.

McKEARNEY. On 29 August2014, Jean Pamela (Walker) MA(1943 Archaeology andAnthropology).

Satisfying though Pam found herstudies, she was particularlyhappy to recall winning her ‘Blue’as a member of the CambridgeWomen’s boat in 1945. She taught at St Albans andShrewsbury GPDST schools, and while reading for a Dip.Ed.at Oxford met and later married Philip, then in the Army.When he joined the Diplomatic Service, Pam and their twosons accompanied him to consular and diplomatic posts inSyria, Qatar, Iraq, New England, Yugoslavia and Romania.Roger became a teacher, while Andrew is in Holy Orders.

The interests which Pam had pursued at Girton, herreadiness to learn foreign cultures and languages, and hercourage made her my incomparable companion for 64years.

Notice by her husband, Philip McKearney.

MORGAN. On 20 April 2015, Margaret (Bryant) MA (1948Mathematics; 1950 Economics).

Margaret was born in Rotherham, to Reginald Bryant, andelectrical engineer and Winifred Kate Grafton and educatedat Princess Mary High School, Halifax. She came to Girton toread Mathematics in her first year and Economics for thenext two, as had always been her intention. She was also amember of the JCR Committee and Treasurer of the CollegeMusic Club. Michael Clement Morgan came up toCambridge at the same time, to read Mathematics at StJohn’s College, they met early in the first term, and marriedin August 1952. Her first appointment was in the PersonnelOffice of John Crossley & Sons, Halifax, and then she beganteaching at Grey Coat Hospital School, London. Margaretand Michael had two sons, Christopher and Richard, andMargaret returned to teaching in the mid-1960s havingposts at Alice Ottley School, Worcester and Francis BaconSchool, St Albans.

MORRELL. On 2 July 2014, Joyce Blanche (Scatchard) MA(1935 English; History 1937).

Joyce was born in Leeds to John Samuel Scatchard, aRailway Clerk, and Violet Lonsdale Huckle; and was the eldersister of Barbara Scatchard (1941). Joyce admitted that shesoon realised that History was her real interest and changedfrom English. She enjoyed her time at Girton, especially forthe companionship and the opportunity to make her owndecisions. She enjoyed most lectures, the pleasure of‘country’ living and exploring, lived at the Grange and lovedthe Honeysuckle Walk. After completing a CambridgeUniversity Certificate in Education in 1939 she held variousteaching posts in Leeds. She married Norman Morrell, anIndustrial Chemist for the Coal Board in 1956 and they hada daughter, Rachel. Joyce held various teaching posts inLeeds and Castleford, eventually becoming Deputy Head at

Castleford High School until her retirement. Joyce also hadmany outside interests and school-based activities during herlong career in Castleford, including membership of the WestRiding Oxford and Cambridge Club, the National Trust andRSPB. She also enjoyed painting, gardening and sequencedancing as well as tutoring adults with learning difficulties.

NANSON. On 27 July 2014,Eileen Margaret (Wood) MA MBBCHIR (1956 Natural Sciences).

Margaret was born in Berkshire,daughter of Hugh Wood (Kings1926) Head of Biology atBradfield College, and Eileen(Tunbridge) (Girton 1930 NaturalSciences). She was educated at Downe House and TheKenrick School, Reading before coming up to Girton where,in addition to her degree, she gained a fencing half bluein1959. She did her clinical training at St Bartholomew’sHospital and qualified in 1962. In the same year she marriedDavid Nanson, a Chartered Surveyor. They settled inWimbledon and had two sons. While her children were smallshe undertook a number of jobs involving Biology andBotany. She returned to medicine in 1970 and, after doingher house jobs on a part time basis, developed a career asa Clinical Assistant. By 1990 she was working in a numberof different hospitals and disciplines including lung cancer(which involved the piloting of the use of laser treatment),diabetes, occupational health and disability. On David’sretirement in 1989 she became a full time medical officerwith the Benefits Agency. Excessive writing against timeled to the development of significant hand problems whichled to her having to take retirement on medical groundsin 1997.

She occupied her retirement by becoming involved in thevoluntary sector and was on the local Community HealthCouncil, and the management committees of the localbranches of Carers Support and Crossroads. She was alsoinvolved with local charities and was a volunteer at the localprimary school. Her whole life was spent in the care ofothers.

Edited notice by her husband, David Nanson.

NESBITT. On 1 November 2014,Brenda Frances (Hill) MA PhD(1948 Natural Sciences).

Brenda studied for her PhD inorganic chemistry with fellowstudent Philip Nesbitt (St John’s1947). They married in 1954.Sadly, in 1976, Philip diedinstantly following a car accident. Brenda was a researchChemist at the Tropical Development and Research Institute,London. This had been set up by the then Colonial Office toprovide help for developing countries in pest control. Hermain work was in the field of lepidopterous sexpheromones. She was held in high esteem by her colleagues

and published numerous articles and research reports(jointly) on insect biochemistry. Soon after retirement herhealth deteriorated until she was wheelchair andhousebound. She bore her illness and bereavement withgreat fortitude and courage and died after repeated spellsin hospital.

Edited notice by her friend, Dr Elizabeth Tanner (1948Natural Sciences).

NEWGAS. On 31 January 2015, Eveline (Blumka) MA(1942 Natural Sciences).

Eveline was born in Vienna, daughter of Ernst Blumka, anantique dealer, and Irene Rausnitz. She was educated inVienna and, Hove County School for Girls and SelhurstGrammar School, Croydon and was delighted to havebeen accepted by Girton having arrived in England aged14 not speaking the language in 1938. She had wantedto join the Army but being an only child, her parentsdissuaded her and so on returning to London, became aResearch Chemist for Gestetuer Ltd working on inks andstencils. She married Clive Newgas in 1947 and they hadtwo sons, John and Charles. She felt that after bringing upher sons, she could not get back into research, which hadgone too far ahead by that time, so worked for variouscharities and eventually set up a small business with herGirtonian friends, one a mathematician, the other adoctor, both of whom had emigrated to Australia. Evelinealso gained a Diploma in the History of Art (London) andhad an interest in continental porcelain and glass. She wasalso Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Friendsof the Iveagh Bequest, Kenwood House.

POMEROY. On 22 October 2014,Winifred Anne (Colegate) BA(1946 Modern and MedievalLanguages).

After completing her studies atGirton, Anne went to work atVogue, London, before moving toHorrockses Fashions where shecontinued working as a translator until her marriage in1953. Anne married Major The Hon Robert Pomeroy ofthe Welsh Guards and they immediately moved to Napleswhere her husband was attached to NATO. They quicklymade many Italian friends including a lasting friendshipwith Riccardo Winspeare whose family papers Annetranslated and published. These included descriptions byone Winspeare’s Italian ancestors of a visit to London afterhe had fought at Waterloo. He had been much impressedby the recent introduction of gas street lighting.

After her husband’s retirement there were two moredecades of Italian connections and frequent visits. Anneand her husband lived for over 50 years in a Somersetvillage where she was much involved with the SurteesSociety and their publication of fine editions of Surtees’works.

She survived her husband for 19 years and died surroundedby her family at the age of 87.

Edited notice by her sister, Isabel.

POOLEY. On 19 December 2014,Eva Mary (Williams) MA (1942Modern and MedievalLanguages).

Eva Mary was born in Truro of anUlster mother and Welsh fatherand attended Bedford HighSchool. She met her husband-to-be, Bill Pooley (Trinity Hall) at Cambridge. Both had tointerrupt their studies for War service: Mary put herlanguages to good use at the Foreign Office ResearchDepartment and later spent a year at the Sorbonne.Fortunately Bill survived the European battlefield and theywere married in 1947.

In 1954 they moved to Norwich, where Bill was a solicitorand Mary taught Spanish at Norwich High School. Here theyraised their six children, with a degree of Europeanawareness unusual for that time: in our earliest years theywould speak French when they did not wish to beunderstood! There were innumerable au pairs and insummer the house teemed with our French and Germanexchanges. Later Mary would accompany Bill leading groupsof walkers in various European countries for the RamblersAssociation.

From the 1980s onwards they were happy migrants,spending the European winters in Perth, Western Australia.Bill Pooley died in 2012 and Eva Mary spent her last fouryears, with dignity, in residential care at Corton House inNorwich. As well as their children, they leave sixteengrandchildren.

We remember our dear Mother as a brave, gracious womanof considerable charm, wit and culture, ahead of her timesin many ways. She would certainly not have been the samewithout Girton!

Notice by her children.

QUINLAN. On 19 July 2014,Heather Margaret Gray (Baxter;Mrs Walter) BA (1953 English).

Born in China, Heather was takenprisoner of war by the invadingJapanese forces along with herbrother, Ian and her mother,where she made lifelong friendswhom she considered an extension of her own family. Postwar she met Richard in Cambridge and, followinggraduation, they married. Soon after they were expectingtheir first baby followed in quick succession by five others!Whilst still busy raising their children she trained to becomea primary school teacher. Greatly respected and appreciated

by her fellow teachers she helped to shape the lives of somany children who thrived under her teaching andguidance. After remarrying in 1986 she moved withBernard to Chelsworth, Suffolk, taking up a post atHillside School. There she specialized in adapting theadvances in information technology towards helping herstudents with special needs. After her retirement shecontinued to coach special needs children in the villageschool. This in turn led her to taking a leading role infundraising to establish an L’Arche community in Ipswich,part of an International Federation dedicated to thecreation and growth of homes, programs, and supportnetworks with people who have learning disabilities. Shewas also a keen member of the Churches Together andsupportive of all community life in the village. Herchildren, Paul, Clare, James, John, Benjamin and Anneand well as Jeremy, Philippa and Rupert, her step-children, were constantly showered with her love. Sheshowed them all how, not only to live and love well andto take risks for what they believed in, but also to forgiveand to laugh.

A short documentary compiling of photographs andfilm while Heather was studying at Cambridge isavailable on You Tube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5ogVtHeyaE

Edited notice by her family.

RIZK. On 4 September 2014,Vivien (Moyle) MA (1942 NaturalSciences).

Vivien worked in biochemistryresearch at Cambridge Universityand in London before starting afamily with her husband, DrWaheeb Rizk. They moved toRugby and made it their lifelonghome. As a devoted mother to their three children,Imogen, Meri and Martin, she put them first, onlydeveloping a career in the voluntary sector once theywere at secondary school. Vivien, who had a strong socialconscience, served the community in a number ofdifferent ways, as a volunteer, including being a memberof Rugby Health Authority, Community Health Council,the League of Friends of Rugby Hospital from 1968-2005,Rugby NHS Trust, Rugby Group Homes for Young People,Governor of Ashlawn School and Chairman of theResearch Ethics Committee. She was named Rugbeian ofthe Year in 1985 and received a long service award fromRugby NHS Trust in 1993. She was described as ‘one ofthose nice quiet people who simply got on with the job’but ‘her contribution to the town (Rugby) is simplyimmense’. Her daughter, Meri said, ‘My mother was aremarkable woman who live a full life to the end and willbe missed by all who knew her. Sadly her daughter,Imogen, died at the age of 28, but Vivien went on to be agrandmother of five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Edited notice by her daughter, Meri Rizk.

ROBINSON. On 31 January 2015, Janet Frances Cheslyn(Callow) MA MB BCHIR (1943 Natural Sciences).

Jane, as she was always known, was born in Wallasey andeducated at the Parents’ National Education Union (PNEU)School in Southampton and Howell’s School in Denbigh. Shewent on from Girton to read medicine at the Royal FreeHospital in London, qualifying in 1949. She had various housejobs in paediatrics and general medicine, ultimately becoming amedical Registrar. She married Kenneth Robinson (M.B., BChir.,Jesus College) in 1950 and went into general practice, whereshe worked part-time. They had three children, Elizabeth(Robinson 1971), John and Philip, all of whom went intomedicine. She was a member, and latterly, Chairman, of theBoard of Visitors for 25 years at Sudbury Prison. Unfortunately,Jane suffered a lot of ill health in the last few years of her life.

Notice by her husband, Kenneth Robinson.

ROE. On 5 February 2014, Mary Luola (Dooley) MA (1956Modern and Medieval Languages).

Mary and I met in Freshers’ Week in October 1956. We hadboth been given the opportunity to study Spanish ab initiounder the benevolent wing of Mrs Helen Grant. We were partof the dozen linguists who made up the Modern Languagesintake for that year. Many years later Mary confessed to methat during her first weeks in Girton she went around in a dazeof fright – not that one would ever have guessed it. Out of ourgroup she stood out by her eighteenth century passion forideas and clarity of mind.

When Mary left Girton she took the Civil Service exam andentered the Foreign Office, where, among otherresponsibilities, she helped to organise an outstandingcollection of Benin ivories. It was in the Foreign Office that shemet her dashing husband Toby Roe. It was a tragedy that hissudden death when Mary was pregnant with Georgiana meantthat he never saw his child.

Mary took up the challenge of raising Georgina on her ownand worked long hard hours so that Georgina should not missout. Once Georgiana had left home Mary was able to return toLondon and pursue her many cultural interests in the companyof her many devoted friends.

After Mary retired from the Civil Service she was invited to siton a panel to sift genuine asylum seekers from adventurers.This involved the reading of very long case histories andpassing judgement on the veracity of the statements. Shecontinued with this work until well into her seventies.

She was diagnosed with cancer two years before she finally lostthe battle. It is typical of her that many of the books from hercrowded shelves have been bequeathed to Girton library.Although she is not here I still have a conversation in my headwith her when I read anything that would interest her wide-ranging mind or see something beautiful or strange or comic.

We had many good times together. Thank you, Mary.

Edited notice by her friend, Barbara Dalling (Dodd 1956).

SEDDON. On 12 January, 2015,Sheila Rosemary (Proudlock-Dunbar) MusB (1941 Music).

Sheila won a Blue for diving andfire-watched from the UniversityLibrary before graduating B.Mus,with the cello being her principleinstrument. After 3 years at theRoyal Academy of Music (1944-1947), she was appointed tothe Scottish National Orchestra where she remained until1954. She played at the opening of the Festival Hall inLondon (1951) and the first Edinburgh Festival (1952). Shemarried Brian Thomas Seddon in 1954 and there were fourchildren, David, John, Claire and Richard. She played forChelsea Opera Group from 1978 to about 1995 and was formany years an examiner for the Associated Board of Music.

Notice by her son, David Seddon.

SMART. On 20 February 2015,Phyllis Elizabeth Alice May MA(1942 English; 1946 Theology).

Phyllis was born into a privilegedhousehold, but nevertheless, shefaced a difficult start in life havingto go through a series ofoperations on her nose as a resultof an illness when she was four. She excelled at school notjust academically but also in sport. It was at Girton thatPhyllis honed her academic skills, deepened her love ofliterature, and found God which was a major part of her lifefor a good many years. I imagine this is also where shediscovered classical music which became another majorpassion.

Phyllis gained a war-time degree for instead of undertakingher third year in theology she was moved to the LondonSchool of Economics under government war legislationwhere she gained a qualification in social science. Phyllisstarted work at the Family Welfare Association and workedthere for a few years, she was given time off to go back toCambridge for a year to undertake her third year. Phyllis hada number of administrative jobs, in the Classics Departmentat Holloway College, for one. Although she was not a childorientated person, at the age of 39 she decided to teach, asshe wanted to pass on her passion for literature. Phyllisadmitted to a very difficult first year as an unqualifiedteacher at Croydon Girls Public Day School. That said, sheclearly developed and then gained her teaching qualificationand secured a place lecturing rather than teaching inWeymouth.

In retirement, Phyllis moved to Stoke Abbot to be nearPilsdon, a Community for people who needed help whichincluded, drug addicts, ex-prisoners, and people who did notfit into mainstream life in general. A few years later, whenshe decided to return to Cambridge, she continued as avolunteer on the reception at the Citizen Advice Bureau, andundertook research at Girton. The College meant a hugeamount to Phyllis and she really appreciated what the

College did for her as a young person and how it shaped herlife, and as a generous benefactor she was keen for othersto have an equally life changing experience.

Edited notice by her nephew, Peter Smart.

STACEY. On 8 October 2014,Brenda Margaret (Smith) MA(1949 Geography).

The Girton College had a very biginfluence on her, not only whilestudying for her degree, but alsoon what she subsequentlyachieved in her career inmarketing, working firstly for travel companies in the 60s inthis new and emerging market, and then in banking in the80s, rising to the top echelons within Williams and Glyn’s.She moved from central London to Crewkerne, Bexhill andSherborne to enjoy a retirement full of travel, music and art,before returning most recently to her birthplace of Brightonfor the last year of her life.

She married in 1954, divorcing a couple of years later, andwhile she never had children of her own, she leaves familywho still live in Girton, reinforcing the close ties with bothcollege and village that Brenda maintained throughout herlife. A strong believer in women's education and the abilityto achieve anything with sufficient focus and hard work, shehas left a legacy in her will to Girton College, and this clearlyshows how much the College meant to her and theopportunities it gave her in life.

My aunt Brenda Stacey died after a short illness, havingundergone treatment for cancer of the oesophagus.

Edited notice by her niece, Rebecca Fraser.

STEDALL. On 27 September2014, Jacqueline Anne (Barton)MA (1969 Mathematics).

Jacqueline, born in Romford,Essex, studied maths at Girton in1972, and obtained her PhD fromthe Open University in 2000, andbecame a Senior Research Fellowat Queen’s College, Oxford. She was a historian ofmathematics whose academic career, although it lasted forless than fourteen years, encompassed nine books and morethan twenty articles. In books such as The Oxford Handbookof Mathematics (2009) and her History of Mathematics:A Very Short Introduction (2009) she challenged views suchas the assumption that mathematics progresses only through‘great and significant works’, and that the period 1545-1770was one in which there had been no significant progress inalgebra. Her work developed a view of her subject not as amale-centric, European concern, but presented a moreinclusive, sophisticated world view of the development ofmathematics. She was a lover of nature, and was particularlyfond of the Outer Hebrides. She is survived by her husband,

documentary maker Johnathan Stedall, and her children Tomand Ellie.

STOCKLAND. On 24 June 2014,Ruth Carole (Berger) BA (1958Archaeology and Anthropology).

After leaving Girton, Ruth spent18 months living in Tanzaniaresearching into the oral historyof a remote tribe. Her whole lifethereafter was marked by herlove of Africa and of ethnic art, for which she found anoutlet in ‘Stockland’ of Little Clarendon Street, Oxford,which she founded with her first husband Jonathan in 1965.It was a hugely popular Aladdin’s cave of ethnic artefactsand modern design until the mid-80s, when she openedBluestocking on North Parade, selling a clothing brand whichreflected her immense flair for design and quality.

With her second husband, Ronnie Sonneborn, in The Barn inOld Headington, she created a stunningly beautiful garden,and filled the house with a gorgeous, eclectic assortment ofpainting, pottery and fabrics. She was a hugely talentedartist, and her family and friends benefited over the yearsfrom her wildly imaginative and often very funny cards,paintings and doodles, as well as from the beautiful wirechandeliers she created latterly.

She drew artefacts for the records of the Pitt Rivers Museum,and she also worked until the late nineties for the Accessscheme in Oxford, helping students from disadvantagedbackgrounds into university.

There was nothing ordinary about Ruth. With her manytalents, originality, wit and force of character, her influenceon her family and many friends was immense andunforgettable.

She leaves two children, Rebecca, an opera singer, andWilliam, a teacher and art historian, and two adoredgrandchildren, Milly and Imogen. She continued to live inOxford until her death.

Notice by her sister, Angela Pullin (Berger 1962).

TAYLOR. On 21 October 2014,Phyllis Mary Constance (Tedder)MA (1945 History).

Phyllis was born, in Walthamstow,in the year of the General Strike,was a young teenager at theoutbreak of WW2 and was oneof the first groups of women toreceive a full Cambridge University degree. It was at Girtonthat she met Dorothy Sykes, who was to remain her lifelongfriend. Dorothy and her future husband Neil, brought aboutthe meeting of Phyllis and Peter Royston Taylor, also anundergraduate in Cambridge, and they married in 1949 andhad a son, Julian. Phyllis’ first appointment was as Assistant

History Mistress at Loughton High School and whileteaching there she studied for and gained an MA whichresulted in her promotion to Head of History. Further Headof Department posts followed before becoming DeputyHeadmistress of Carlisle School, Chelsea, in 1962. She wasat the helm of the transformation of Walthamstow Schoolfrom a small grammar into a large secondary high, and oneof the first heads to take on a failing school, WansteadHigh School. Her long list of appointments after 1974,noted in Who’s Who, illustrate Phyllis’ dedication to herprofession and the respect in which she was held. Shemade an active contribution to serving on many advisoryand sub-committees on a national level and was a memberof the University Grants Commission.

At a local level she was chairperson of the Dunmow LiberalParty, a parish councillor and school governor. In 1983 shewas made an Honorary Associate of the Institute ofEducation in London. Phyllis was a person of great stamina,although she and her husband faced many healthchallenges, and had many interests. She was also acherished friend, a kind godmother, a spirited aunt, anattentive sister, a dear grandmother and a beloved motherof Julian.

Edited notice by her family.

TILLEY. On 22 August 2014, AnnBurman (Christophers) MA (1950English).

After graduating in 1953 Anntaught young children first, thentrained to be a librarian, returningto Girton in that capacity for ashort time. Later she worked atthe Guild of Health in London, editing its magazine. Shealso studied on the Southwark Ordination Course, trainingto be a lay pastoral assistant, alongside acting as librarianat USPG.

In 1981 she moved to join the Little Gidding Communityand married Michael, who was already a resident there, thefollowing year. She served in local parishes there, and laterat St. Mary’s, Godmanchester. She was also an activemember of the Anglican Third Order of St Francis.

After Michael’s death she returned to Warwickshire, whereshe was born in 1929, to be near her brother and hisfamily. The last years of her life were limited by advancingdementia which she bore with courage, courtesy andgrace. To the end she retained a precision and love oflanguage, as well as a sense of colour, style, and a delightin flowers. She died peacefully, drawing to an end a full lifegenerously lived, and sustained by a steadfast faith.

Edited notice by her Sister-in Law, Rachel Christophers.

WARREN. On 10 March 2014, Lynette Oskarl, MSt (2002Management Studies).

Lynette qualified as radiographer (MSR) at Cardiff Universityand had a BA in politics, philosophy and economics from theUniversity of Hertfordshire before coming to Girton to do aMasters degree in Community Enterprise.

As a Radiographer and, amongst other locations, Lynetteworked for 5 years in Nairobi alongside members of theflying doctor team. On her return she set up two smallbusinesses, with a colleague. She returned to university andspecialised in ecotoxicology and pollution monitoring andthe use of geographical information systems forenvironmental data. She was commissioned to research andproduce 'The Luton Borough State of the EnvironmentReport' for Luton Borough Council, Published 1992. She alsodevised and lectured in environmental auditing on the MScEcotoxicology & Pollution Monitoring course at LutonUniversity; introduced and set up an environmental auditingprogramme for companies, was appointed EnvironmentalAdvisor for the Eastern Region Technology Centre andengaged the University of Luton as part of the East AnglianHigher Education Institutes Environmental Consortium.

Lynette was an environmental and social enterprise specialistand was co-founder of Sustainable Opportunities Ltd, acompany producing environmental services. She was aDirector of Earthworks St. Albans – an environmentalcommunity enterprise and a Director of the BedfordshireRural Community Charities. Here she was an devotedsupporter, since the early days of the charity in 1997, andpassionately championed the organisation at everyopportunity, giving her free time and energy over 17 years.She was particularly dedicated to promoting sustainablechoices in horticulture and technology, issues at theforefront of the Earthworks ethos.

WHITAKER. In January 2014,Susan Mary (Babington) BA (1952English).

Sue and I met at our interviewwith the Mistress (Dr Cartwright)when we arrived at Girton anddiscovered that we both lived inSuffolk, were both readingEnglish and had many interests in common. We remainedfriends in spite of living many miles apart until she died. Herdaughter Lucy is my goddaughter, my daughter Sophy washers. She married David soon after leaving Cambridge andas he was an army chaplain found herself in Malaya forthree years during the emergency. On return they served ona tough housing estate outside Nottingham and then spentfive years in Basutoland (Lesotho). After that they were inDevon until David’s retirement when they moved to Weobleyin Herefordshire. Their happy marriage included five childrenand seven grandchildren.

Sue was passionate and practical in pursuit of her interests –often the environment or justice. She was rooted in herAnglican Christianity but quite prepared for active

theological debate, and visiting the Whitaker householdwas both a stimulating and hilarious experience. Sadly forthe family David died a mere six months after Susan.

Notice by her friend, Judith Foord (Greenacre 1952).

WRIGHT. In September 2014,Helen Muryell (Buxton) BA (1946Geography).

Helen arrived in 1946 at Girton tostudy Geography after the war.She recalled the bitterly coldwinter of 1946 and the constanthunger due to food shortages.Nonetheless she enjoyed her time there and particularlyremembered cooking Ovaltine (unrationed) biscuits on thegas fire in her friend’s room. She left Cambridge in 1948and married Donald Wright, who had first noticed her onLiverpool Street station and later met in the map room ofthe University library where she had characteristicallyspread out the maps on the floor to see them more easily.

During the war she had been a FANY and worked in thecoding department having early knowledge of the work ofthe French resistance, the concentration camps and, later,while in Ceylon, being aware that the Atomic bombs wereto be dropped.

After leaving Cambridge she and Donald had five childrenand she followed him to his various teaching jobs endingup in Shrewsbury where he was a headmaster. Helen tookon the development of the bookshop and took a greatinterest in the female members of staff who neededsupport.

Following Shrewsbury and after Donald’s retirement theyconverted an old barn into a home and developed thesurrounding pasture into a wonderful garden.

Helen was always a person who noticed things, fromrecording the dates she heard the first cuckoo to thelocation of the martagon lilies in a college garden on theBacks, first shown to her by her father and refound whenshe moved back to Cambridge for her last two years.

Notice by her daughter, Charlotte Cannon (Wright 1974).