Obituaries

JENNIFER NICHOLL

Former pupil, Jennifer Nicholl died in March 2019. She was 54.

Jennifer came to the Academy from Cliftonville Primary School. She later worked as a dental nurse before becoming a child chaperone for various film and television studios, as well as Belfast's Grand Opera House.

Jennifer finally succumbed to cancer in the Mater Hospital, Belfast, having kept her illness from her family until near the end of her life. In keeping with her selfless personality, she did not want anyone to pity her or to see her ill; neither did she wish to interrupt the professional development of her two daughters, to whom she was devoted. Alice had just started work as a dentist in England, and Connie was studying Veterinary Science at Grenada in the West Indies.

Jennifer Nicholl was a kind and generous woman. In addition to her busy caring life, she volunteered for numerous charities, including the Royal British Legion. She will be sadly missed by her family, those she worked with, and the many others she encountered in her charitable work.

DR JOHN GRAY

John Gray, whose family had a long association with the Academy, died in August 2019. Like Jennifer Nicholl, John died at the untimely age of 54.

In 1983 John Gray achieved a notable triumph when he became the first Academy pupil to win both a scholarship from the English Speaking Union and the Sir Francis Evans Leaving Scholarship. After two terms at Salisbury School, Connecticut, John went up to Queen's College, Oxford, where his elder brother and sister, Peter and Helen were studying Medicine. After graduating in Biochemistry, John then moved to Queen's University, Belfast where, in 1996, he graduated in Medicine.

Dr Gray joined the staff of the Ulster Hospital in 2002. His career as a consultant began in the Mater Hospital in 2008, and in 2016 he transferred to the South Eastern Trust. He was renowned throughout his career as an outstanding clinician, a considerate colleague and a deeply thoughtful individual. Away from his busy professional commitments, John Gray involved himself with reconciliation work at the Corrymeela Community, and with the rehabilitation of young offenders.

It was during his time at the Ulster Hospital that John met his future wife Sarah, with whom he had three children. His sudden death is an irreparable loss to his wife and family; it also deprives the wider community of gifted doctor, and a humane, generous citizen.