We bid a sad farewell to some much-loved alumnae

Jennifer Saunders (nee Bush) 1933-2021

It was with great sadness that we learned in February that 87-year-old Jennifer Saunders, Class of 1950, had died peacefully at her home surrounded by her three children.

Much-loved sister of Trish White, Class of 1955 and former LEH Deputy Head, Jennifer left school from U5 to go The Cripplegate Secretarial College, which was part of the same foundation as LEH.

There, in addition to secretarial skills, she spent an intensive year studying finance and accounting, drama and French and went on to be a private secretary to the Senior Director of The Thames Haven Oil Wharf Company.

Jennifer is pictured here, aged 15, wearing the stripped senior summer uniform dress. She was musically very gifted, playing piano and teaching guitar and always had a great passion for Scottish dancing.

Jen remained life-long friends with some her former LEH classmates and a group of 15 or so of them met regularly for lunch and coffee to reminisce about school days and favourite teachers such as Miss Cross, Miss Denney and Miss Ruby Davies, who sometimes joined their gatherings.

Stella Stephens, nee Buttress, Class of 1949, first got to know Jen and Trish when they were all under the age of 10 and she used to take them to Sunday school. She later went on to attend Jen’s guitar lessons for many years, remembering that Jen was part of a band that often used to entertain residents in local care homes. “She was such a lovely lady,” says Stella. “So kind, patient and talented.” Rosemary were in different classes at LEH, they both attended Cripplegate College together, and landed jobs in the City, where they would meet up for lunch.

Rosemary Burdett, nee Abbott, Class of 1950, was also a close friend having lived next door to Jen and Trish all her life until she got married. As children they were in and out of each other’s gardens all the time, playing table tennis and sneaking through the gate in the back fence. While Jen and Rosemary recalls: “We were always close and always there for each other. It was a sorry day for me when she died as she had always been in my life. She will be greatly missed by all of us.” Our thoughts are with Trish and Jennifer’s family at this sad time.

Maureen Sharman 1933-2021

Dear friend of LEH Maureen Sharman (nee Denham), Class of 1949, has passed away aged 87-years-old, after contracting Covid-19 while in hospital.

Maureen was not only the Secretary of the Holly Club for many years but also a Governor of the School in the 1980s and 90s. Her daughter Wendy Smith (nee Sharman), Class of 1979, also attended LEH.

Current Alumnae Advisory Group member Jane Ross, class of 1964, says: “Maureen really was a charming, lovely person. She inaugurated and used to organise the cheese and wine summer Holly Club events in the 70s, moreor-less single-handedly. She was a wonderful hostess. It was a pleasure to be on the Committee as she used to hold meetings at her home and feed us lovely suppers.”

Fellow AAG member Gillian Keller, class of 1970, said: “I am so sorry to hear the sad news about Maureen. I have known her since 1978 when I first joined the Holly Club Committee and we used to meet in each other’s houses before we then started meeting in school. I remember that she always smiled. My thoughts are with her family at this sad time.”

Former teacher and great supporter of LEH, Mollie Newman, passed away in September last year.

In addition to teaching RE and Catechism in the Junior School, Mollie was married to LEH’s first Bursar, Wing-Commander Kenneth Newman (LEH 1973-1987), and always took a keen interest in the school.

We were informed by her niece Julie Hall, who says: “I know that she kept in

touch with quite a lot of people from the school – old girls and their parents. She and Kenneth were so proud of their connection with the school and their flat is filled with mementos of their time – mugs, tea towels, books, photos and more… She was remarkable and would have been 96 on 1st October.”

Hilary Vit (LEH 19721979) was one of the alumnae who kept in touch with Mollie, especially during the pandemic. She says: “I really enjoyed my ‘phone chats earlier this year with Mollie. Despite some health issues, she was still very positive and seemed full of life and enthusiasm. She was a great raconteur, having an excellent memory for detail, but also took an interest in me too.

Mollie Newman 1924-2020

“I was especially interested to hear of Ken’s appointment as Bursar to LEH, as I remember their arrival in 1973. At that time Ken was the only male member of staff to be seen around the school corridors, so it caused quite a stir, as you can imagine!

“Apparently, it was Mollie who had seen the job advertised and who contacted School to ask for details. On the day of the interview, she told me that Ken drove up to the front entrance of School in their somewhat battered car to be confronted by two Staff cars, one Army, the other Navy, both sporting flags! They promptly decided to park in a less obvious spot!

“After a tour of the school, it was time for the interview itself. Ken was asked whether he wanted Mollie to go into the interview with him, and responded, “Of course! We do everything together.” Apparently, he was the only candidate to do so... Clearly, this was the correct decision, and the rest is history.

“Mollie and Ken were stalwart supporters of LEH, always present at school events. Indeed, in talking to Mollie, it was clear that LEH had meant a great deal to both of them. They had thoroughly enjoyed their time there, and the school still held a special place in her heart.”

IN OUR PRAYERS

Every year at the Alumnae Carol Service, we remember all those who have sadly passed away in the preceding 12 months.

In 2020 we prayed for the following members of our community:

Audrey Atterbury (nee Allison, LEH 1935-1943) Anne Pearce (former member of staff) Beryl Bird (nee Randall, Class of 1948) Betty Young (nee Adler, LEH 1933-1938) Jennifer Whiffin (nee Mills, LEH 1951-1958) Marian Marland (nee Deakin) Rosemary Middleton (nee Hooper, LEH 1953-1957) Sophia Bach Nielsen (LEH 1996-2003) Sophia Gomm (LEH 1950-1958)