Friends’ School Saffron Walden Old Scholars

Fred Sessa (Staff 1960-1986)

04 November 2023

Based on an obituary by his family from the Wennington School website https://wenningtonschool.org.uk/index.php/people/tributes/256-fred-sessa

We w ...

Jane Laing (Deputy Head 90-96 and Head 96-2001)

28 October 2023

We were sad to hear of the unexpected death of Jane Laing at home in Saffron Walden on Thursday 5th October 2023.

The following is taken from the S ...

Ondre Barber (YG 1961)

27 October 2023

Old Scholar Noel Clark (YG 1961) recently contacted the Old Scholars' Association to ask if the OSA had any information about Ondre Barber (YG 1961). ...

Barry Barber (YG 1951)

27 October 2023

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear of the death of Barry Barber (YG 1951). Barry was at Friends' from 1941-51. He was born in 1933 and was the old ...

Luke Albarin (YG 1961)

28 August 2023

We are saddened to let Old Scholars know, very belatedly, about the death of Luke Albarin (YG 1961) who died on 19th January 2012 in Worcesteshire whe ...

Andrew Edmunds (YG 1961)

09 August 2023

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear of the death of Andrew Edmunds (YG 1961). Andrew was born on 16th September 1943, was at Friends' from 1954 to 1 ...

David Spathaky (YG 1972)

29 June 2023

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear of the death of David Spathaky (YG 1972), who died on 7th February 2023. David was born on 25th February 1954 in ...

John Searle-Barnes (Staff)

13 June 2023

John Searle-Barnes (Staff 1984-2016) died peacefully at home on 11th June 2023. John taught at Friends' School for 32 years from 1984 to 2016.

A M ...

John Toplis (YG 1966)

18 May 2023

Old Scholars willl be saddened to hear of the death of John Toplis (YG 1966) who died earlier this year.

Richard Comber (YG 1949)

18 May 2023

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear of the death of Richard Comber (YG 1949) in August 2022. Richard was at the school from 1947-49. Richa ...

Dr Ann Wickenden (YG 1954)

15 May 2023

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear of the death of Dr Shirley Ann Wickenden (YG 1954) who died on 16th January 2023 and was a pupil at Friends' Sch ...

Paul Honigmann (YG 1951)

25 February 2023

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear the news of the death of Paul Honigmann (YG 1951) on the 12th February 2023. Paul was at Friends' from 1944 to 1 ...

Margaret Evens (née Radclyffe, YG 1945)

21 February 2023

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear that Margaret Evens (née Radclyffe, YG 1945) passed away on Monday 23rd January 2023 at the age of 94. Margaret ...

Adam Kendon (YG 1952)

18 January 2023

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear of the death of Dr Adam Kendon (YG 1952) on 14th September 2022. Born on 4th April 1934, Adam was at Friends' fr ...

Peter Arter (Staff 1974-1988)

14 December 2022

We were sad to hear of Peter Arter’s death on 24th October 2022 at the age of 70. Peter was on the staff at Friends’ from 1974 to 1988 when he left to ...

Godric Bader (YG 1941)

23 October 2022

Old Scholar Hansi Manning (YG 1979) has been in contact with the Old Scholars' Association to let Old Scholars know the sad news of the death of her f ...

Diane Martin (née Hollingbury, YG 1956)

01 June 2022

Old Scholars will be saddend to hear of the death of Diane Martin (née Hollingbury, YG 1956), who went to the school from1949-55. When Diane was a pup ...

Stephen Semaganda (YG 1987)

11 April 2022

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear the news of the death of Stephen Mitala Semaganda (YG 1987). Stephen born in 1968 and was at Friends' School fro ...

Alan Sillitoe (YG 1955)

21 March 2022

Old Scholars' will be saddened to hear the news of the death of Alan Sillitoe (YG 1955) in November 2021. Alan was at the school between 1947 and 1955 ...

Lois Buck (YG 1946)

21 March 2022

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear the news of the death of Lois Anne Buck (YG 1946), who died on 10th December 2021 in Colchester Hospital. She ha ...

Julia Gearing (née Mace) YG 1954

18 February 2022

We are saddened to share the news of the death of Julia Collyer Gearing (née Mace) YG 1954. Julia died on 17th September 2021 aged 85 in a care h ...

Fulvio Cassuto (YG 1948)

18 February 2022

As was reported in the last newsletter, Old Scholars will be saddened to hear of the death of Fulvio Cassuot (YG 1948). Fulvio Cassuto passed away in ...

Francis Whittington (Staff 1968-1994)

06 December 2021

We have recently heard the news that Francis Whittington died after a brief illness in Inverness Hospital on the 19th November 2021. Francis was the m ...

John Gillett (Staff 1960-76)

15 November 2021

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear the news of the death of John Gillett (Staff 1960-76). John died on 8th November at the age of 89 peacefully at ...

Robert Dunstan (YG 1955)

14 November 2021

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear of the death of Robert Dunstan (YG 1955). Robert was at the school between 1945 and 1954/5 and remained in conta ...

Denby Allen (Staff 1963 - 1991)

25 October 2021

It is with great sadness that we recently learnt that Denby Allen, former Biology teacher at Friends’, passed away on Friday 8th October 2021 aged 87 ...

Oliver Alan Hughes (YG 1945)

24 October 2021

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear the news of the death of Oliver Alan Hughes (YG 1945). Known as Ollie to his family but by his preferred name of ...

Elizabeth Earle (née Rice, YG 1952)

26 June 2021

We are very sad to hear of the death of Elizabeth Earle (née Rice, YG 1952) on 26th June 2021 in Canada.

Elizabeth attended the school between 194 ...

Jenny See (ex-Staff)

17 June 2021

We are saddened to share the sad news of the death of Jenny See, former English teacher at Friends' School.

Wilfred Hayler (YG 1950)

21 February 2021

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear of the death of Wilf Hayler (YG 1950), who died on the 21st February 2021 of coronavirus. Wilf attended the scho ...

Mary Mileson (Staff 1952-55 and 1963-2003)

12 February 2021

Old Scholars will be sad to hear of the death of Mary Mileson. Mary died peacefully at Croft House Care Home, Great Dunmow on 12th February 2021, aged ...

Donald Purkiss (YG 1937)

14 January 2021

We were sorry to hear of the death of Donald Purkiss (YG 1937), whodied peacefully in Addenbrooke's Hospital on 14th January 2021, after a short illne ...

John and Marion Harding (ex staff members)

28 December 2020

We are sorry to hear from their son that John Harding, former Head of Boarding at Friends' in the late 1990s, died on 28th December 2020 at the age of ...

Lesley Jacob (YG 1960)

13 November 2020

The Old Scholars' Association has recently been notified of the death of Lesley Jacob (YG 1960) on 13th November 2020.

Lesley died peacefully in ho ...

Pauline Haigh (née Goddard, YG 1946)

27 September 2020

Old Scholars will be saddened to hear that Pauline Haigh (née Goddard, YG 1946) died aged 92 on 27th September 2020. I received the following account ...

Peter Cutler (Staff 1966-72)

30 July 2020

We are very sad to have heard of the death of Peter James Cutler, who was a member of staff at Friends' School Saffron Walden between 1966 and 1972. P ...

Elisabeth Seale (née Grillet, YG 1941)

16 May 2020

We are sad to learn of the passing of Elisabeth Seale (née Grillet, YG 1941) on the 16th May 2020 aged 96. She died peacefully at home in Highgate. El ...

John Veit-Wilson (née Hanno Simon, YG 1953)

10 May 2020

We are very sad to announce the death of Old Scholar John Veit-Wilson (YG 1953) on the 10th May 2020. John Veit-Wilson (known as Hanno Simon until 194 ...

Eleanor Will (née Lane, YG 1952)

02 May 2020

After reporting the death of Donald Bush (YG 1948) in February, we are saddened to hear the news of another death in their family. Eleanor Will (née L ...

Donald Bush (YG 1948)

19 March 2020

We are saddened to have heard of the death of Donald James Bush (YG 1948).Donald died on 14th February 2020 at his home in Belper, Derbyshire. Donald ...

Janet Pearson (née Pointer, YG 1965)

31 December 2019

We are sorry to have heard that Janet Pearson passed away on 18th December 2019 following a short illness. Our thoughts are with her husband and son T ...

Crawford Dew (ex staff member)

03 December 2019

We are very sad to hear of the passing of Crawford Dew on Wednesday 6th November. Crawford began his relationship with Friends' School Saffron Walden ...

Mark Chamberlain (YG 1940)

17 November 2019

We are writing to let Old Scholars know of the sad news that, on 28th October 2019, Mark Chamberlain died. Mark Chamberlain attended Friends' School S ...

Rachel Ashton (YG 1955)

31 August 2019

We are sad to report that Rachel Mary Ashton, who attended the school from 1948-1955, has died. Over the last few weeks, I made contact with Friends H ...

Iain Price-Smith (YG 1962)

31 August 2019

At this year's Annual General Meeting, we were informed of the death of Iain Price-Smith. It is with sadness that I can report that Iain died on the 1 ...

Michael Rossmann (YG 1948)

23 May 2019

Michael Rossmann (YG 1948) - scientist whose work uncovered the structure of viruses – obituary from the Daily Telegraph 21st May 2019(Michael was a p ...

Chris Hayes (YG 1962)

09 May 2019

We have just learnt that Chris Hayes from YG 1962 has passed away.Fellow Old Scholar Joan Pearce (YG 1962) went to his funeral and wrote the foll ...

Jess Burton YG 2010

23 March 2019

We are very sad to hear of the untimely death of Jess Burton YG 2010.

John Plank (YG 1946)

03 February 2019

We are sad to report that John Plank, who attended the school from 1942-1946, passed away peacefully on Tuesday 15th January 2019, aged 89.

David Wood - ex-bursar

18 December 2018

I am extremely sad to announce that ex-bursar David Wood passed away on Sunday 16th December 2018. David was a Quaker and was one of the kindest men I ...

Hazel Smith - wife of Chris Smith

13 December 2018

We are sad to learn that Hazel Smith, wife of legendary Head of PE and Boys housemaster Chris Smith, died on Wednesday 12th December after a 4 year ba ...

Dr Peter Le Mare (YG 1941)

03 December 2018

It is with sadness that we have recently learnt that Dr Peter Le Mare (YG 41) who attended the school from 1934-1939, passed away on 14th November 201 ...

Peter Reader (YG 1958)

05 November 2018

We are sad to announce that Peter Reader from Year Group 1958 passed away at home in Radwinter on 20th October 2018.

Gillian Pitt (nee Whittick) (YG 1953)

12 June 2018

We were very sad to learn at the SGM that Gillian Pitt (YG 1953) who attended the school from 1946-1951, died last summer in July 2017.
Gillian had ...

Roger Browning (YG 1938)

18 May 2018

We are very sad to hear from Janet Chamley (nee Fairs) that Roger Browning (YG 10938) who attended the school from 1931-1938, died earlier this month ...

Amanda Cowan (nee Cooper) - ex staff member

24 April 2018

We are sorry to hear of the death of Amanda Cowan (nee Cooper), a former member of staff, on 18th March 2018, aged 66.Many Old Scholars will remember ...

Mary Rose Sargeant (YG 1950)

23 April 2018

We are sad to learn of the death of Mary Rose Sargeant (YG 1950) who attended the school from 1944-1950. Mary died on 8th March 2018.

Godfrey (George) Pratt (YG 1941)

10 February 2018

We are sad to announce that Godfrey (George) Pratt from Year Group 1941 died on 5th February 2018, aged 92.

William (Tim) Evens (YG 1939)

03 July 2017

We are very sad to learn that William (Tim) Evens passed away on Sunday 25th June at the age of 96. Tim attended the school from 1932-1937 and then ta ...

Elisabeth Francis (nee Collinson) YG 1949

23 May 2017

We are sad to learn that Elisabeth Francis passed away on 19th May 2017.
Elisabeth attended the school from 1944-1949 and was Head Girl.

David White (YG 1949)

08 May 2017

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that David White passed away on 3rd May 2017. Despite suffering from Parkinson's disease, David was ...

John Kemp (YG 1940)

06 February 2017

We are sad to learn that John Kemp, who attended the school from 1937-1940, passed away in November 2016 aged 92.

Paul Verity Smith (YG 1971)

30 January 2017

We are sad to learn that Paul Verity Smith died on 9th January 2017.
Paul was at FSSW for the sixth form from 1969 to 1971 where he did A-levels in E ...

Donn Webb (YG 1949)

09 January 2017

We are very sad to announce that Donn Webb passed away on 28th December 2016. Donn suffered a severe stroke in March 2016 and was only expected to liv ...

Annetta (Libby) Morris (nee Duffill) (YG 1964)

08 January 2017

We are sad to learn that Annetta Morris (known as Libby) passed away on 22nd December 2016 after a short illness.
Libby attended the school from 195 ...

Lenon Beeson (Staff 1950-56)

06 January 2017

We have recently learnt that Lenon Beeson, who was a member of staff at the school from 1950-1956 and a life member of the OSA, died on 16th December ...

Christopher Watt (YG 1948)

10 October 2016

We are sad to hear of the death of Christopher Watt on 28th September 2016 in Prescott, Arizona, aged 87. He attended the school from 1943-46.His brot ...

Janet Stone (nee Fellows) (YG 1949)

10 October 2016

We are sad to learn of the death of Janet Stone (nee Fellows) on 23rd September 2016. Janet attended the school from 1947-49 and was a life member of ...

Audrey (Molly) Glover (nee Palmer) (YG 1943)

10 October 2016

We are sad to learn that Audrey (Molly) Glover recently passed away. Molly attended the school from 1936-43 and was a life member of the OSA.

Heidi Chalkley (YG 1994)

06 September 2016

We are very sad to report the shocking news that Heidi Chalkley died in a tragic accident on Sunday 14th August 2016 at the tender age of 40.

Diana White (YG 1954)

05 September 2016

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Diana White (nee Clayton) passed away on Thursday 25th August.
Diana attended the school from ...

Leslie James Allward (YG 1941)

22 August 2016

We are very sorry to learn that Leslie James Allward died on 27th June 2016 aged 91.He attended Friends' School from 1938-1941, as did his brothers be ...

Alan Chapman (YG 1949)

22 August 2016

We have just learnt that Alan Chapman, who attended the school from 1944-1949, died earlier this month.

Alan Jennings (YG 1939)

01 August 2016

We have just learnt that Alan Jennings, who attended the school from 1935-39 and was a life member of the OSA, died in May this year aged 93.Alan was ...

Susan Toplis (YG 1959)

01 August 2016

We are sorry to announce the death of Sue Toplis who attended the school from 1953-1959. Sue died in Cambridge after a fall and a short illness.
Her ...

Peter Dunstan (YG 1958)

27 July 2016

We are very sad to announce that Peter Dunstan, brother to Robert and Edward (Ted), died on 27th July 2016 aged 75. Peter attended Friends' from 1951- ...

Lord Matthew Evans (YG 1960)

14 July 2016

We are sorry to learn that Matthew Evans (Lord Evans of Temple Guiting) died on 6th July 2016.
Matthew was an Old Scholar who attended the school fro ...

Paul Fordham (YG 1943)

10 July 2016

We are sorry to learn of the death of Paul Fordham on 10th July 2016. Paul attended Friends' from 1936-43.

John Goddard (YG 1948)

07 July 2016

We are sorry to hear that John Goddard, who attended the school from 1939-1946 and was a life member of the Old Scholars Association, died on 26th Jun ...

Eleanor Littleboy (YG 1938)

30 June 2016

We are sad to announce that Eleanor Littleboy, daughter of former Head Gerald Littleboy, died on 4th June 2016. Eleanor attended the school from 1934- ...

Roger Baily (YG 1957)

10 May 2016

After suffering from Alzheimer's disease for several years, Roger Baily who attended the school from 1950-1955 sadly passed away on 9th April 2016.

Gwyneth Dutton (YG 1951)

19 April 2016

We are very sorry to announce that Gwyneth Dutton passed away on 30th March 2016. Gwyneth attended the school from 1945-1951 and was a member of staff ...

Richard (Dick) Palmer (YG 1945)

04 March 2016

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Richard (Dick) Palmer died peacefully at home on 20th February 2016, aged 87. Richard attended ...

Paddy (Patricia) Carter (nee Thomas) (YG 1950)

25 January 2016

It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Paddy (Patricia) Carter from leukaemia. Paddy lived in Australia but kept in touch with m ...

Jane Gibbs (nee Pennell) (YG 1958)

24 November 2015

We are very sad to announce that Jane Gibbs sadly passed away on Saturday evening, 14th November 2015 at St Clare Hospice where she had been receivin ...

Gina Ross (nee Gosling) (YG 1954)

24 November 2015

We are very sad to learn that Gina (Regina) Ross, nee Gosling lost her battle against cancer on 22nd November. For the last few months she had been in ...

Bryan Stanger (YG 1938)

10 November 2015

We are sad to announce that Bryan Stanger who attended the school from 1932-38 and was later a member of staff from 1944-49 died on 20th October 2015 ...

James Edward Dutton (YG 1952)

10 November 2015

We are sad to announce that James Edward Dutton who attended the school from 1945-52 passed away on 31st October 2015.

Harold Mattingly (YG 1938)

29 September 2015

We are sad to learn that Harold Mattingly who attended the School from 1931-1933 died on 23rd August 2015.

Diana Hale (nee Watson) YG 1965

29 September 2015

We are very sad to announce that Diana Hale, who attended the School fom 1957-1963, finally lost her battle with cancer and died on 22nd August 2015.

Roger S. Blackshaw (YG 1944)

07 July 2015

We are very sorry to announce that Roger Blackshaw passed away peacefully on 7th July 2015 of pancreatic cancer.

Born in Bolton, Lancashire, Engla ...

Rodney Edgar Lewis Hunt (YG44)

06 July 2015

We are sad to learn of the death of Rodney Edgar Lewis Hunt who died on 21st June 2015 at the age of 88.
Rodney was a pupil at the Junior School from ...

John Seaman (YG 1971)

21 April 2015

It is with sadness that we have learnt that John Seaman died last August 2014 aged just 61.

Ben Vidler (YG 1983)

21 April 2015

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Ben Vidler died in December 2014 after losing his battle with cancer.
Ben was diagnosed with t ...

Anne Marriage (YG 1949 & Staff)

21 April 2015

We are sad to announce that Anne Marriage died on 19th April 2015.
Anne attended the school from 1942-1949 and later taught PE here from 1965-1979.

Brian Abbs (YG 1956)

14 April 2015

We are very sad to announce that "our friend and classmate Brian Abbs died on 20 January 2015. He was in the same year as me, John Veit Wilson, Kaye W ...

John Coffin (YG 1950)

24 March 2015

We are very sad to hear that John Coffin passed away in February this year.
Please find attached a moving tribute written by his brother Christopher ...

Brian J. Hosking (YG 1956)

17 March 2015

It is with sadness that we have to announce that after suffering from Parkinson's disease for some time, Brian J. Hosking died on 4th March.

Mary Forward (YG 1932)

13 March 2015

We have just been told the sad news that Mary Forward (nee Bond) passed away on 22nd March 2013 aged 97. Mary was in Year Group 1932 and met her husba ...

Imogen Sykes (nee Moody) (YG 1975)

03 March 2015

We have just heard the sad news that Imogen Sykes (nee Moody) who was in Year Group 1975, died from cancer in May 2013. She was living in New Zealand ...

Peter Cudbird (YG 1938)

14 January 2015

We are sorry to announce that Peter Cudbird who attended the school from 1932-1938 died on Wednesday 14th January 2015 aged 92.
Please find attached ...

David Gray (Staff)

10 January 2015

We are sad to announce that David Gray who was a member of staff for 10 years and Head of English until 1970, died on 10th January 2015, aged 83.

Ruth Margaret West (nee Stubbs) (YG 1934)

19 November 2014

It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Ruth West.
Ruth was born on 1st July 1916 in Chendhu, West China to Clifford and Margare ...

Angus Holmes (YG 2008)

16 November 2014

I am very sad to have recently heard the news of the death of Angus Holmes (YG 2008), who died, at the time of writing, 6 years ago, on 16th November ...

Susan Taylor (YG 1937)

04 November 2014

We are very sorry to announce that Susan Taylor (nee Goldschmidt) died on 2nd October 2014. Susan was a pupil at the school from 1934-1937.

David Hadley (YG 1963)

03 September 2014

We are sorry to hear the sad news of the death of David Hadley on 21st August 2014. David (known by his classmates as D) was at the school from 1956-6 ...

Ruth Wrigley (YG 1948)

03 September 2014

We are sorry to announce the death of Ruth Wrigley (Comber) on 29th June 2014

Joy Dupont (nee Ashford) (Staff)

03 September 2014

We are very sory to announce the death of Joy Dupont on 2nd April 2014.
Joy was a member of staff from 1951-1972.

Lynda Sharpe (Staff)

03 September 2014

We are sorry to hear the sad news that Lynda Sharpe died on 21 July 2014 following an illness. Lynda was the first Head of our present Junior School f ...

John Dudderidge (YG 1955)

01 July 2014

We have recently heard of the death of John Dudderidge.John, who was a pupil at the school in the late 1940s and 1950s, died aged 76. A birthright Qua ...

Kaye Whiteman (YG 1953)

09 June 2014

We are very sorry to announce the death of Kaye Whiteman on 14th May 2014.
Please see attached an obituary from The Guardian newspaper.

Dilawar CHETSINGH (YG 1956)

02 June 2014

We are sorry to hear that Dilawar Chetsingh died on 31st May 2014.
Dilawar attended the Junior School from 1947-8, left to return to his home in Indi ...

Jean Stubbs (YG 1936)

11 March 2014

We have just heard the sad news that Jean Stubbs died in her nursing home in Saffron Walden on 11th March 2014 at the age of 95. Those who knew her he ...

Rita Welch (Staff)

23 January 2014

We have recently heard of the death of Rita Welch.
Rita was a matron at Friends' in Hillcroft sixth form boarding. She was at Friends' from 1981 to 1 ...

Sam Chell (YG 1995)

29 April 2012

We were sorry to receive the sad news that Samuel Chell (Year Group 1995) died expectantly from a heart attack on 29th April 2012 aged 35. A celebrati ...

Lord Newton of Braintree (YG 1955)

25 March 2012

We are very sorry to hear that Lord Newton of Braintree died at the age of 74 on Sunday 25th March 2012 after a long illness.Tony Newton was an Old Sc ...

Farrand Radley (YG 1933)

16 October 2010

We are very sorry to hear that H. Arthur Farrand Radley M.B.E. died peacefully, after a short illness, on Saturday 16th October 2010, aged 94.

Farr ...

Alan Thompson (YG 1937)

09 October 2010

We are very sorry to hear that Alan Thompson, husband of Eileen and father of Jendy (1958-1965) and Geoff (1959-1966) died peacefully in his sleep on ...