Miss Audrey Stead
It is with great sadness that we can let members know of the death, on 7 March 2014, of Miss Audrey Stead, former Senior Administrative Assistant in the School of English.
Miss Stead’s lengthy association with the University, which lasted for nearly fifty years, began in 1943, when she was appointed as an assistant in the University Library. Some years later, in 1949, she was – in her own words – spirited away from the Library by Professor Bonamy Dobrée to join the then Department of English as his personal assistant. Over the course of the next four decades, Miss Stead proved herself an outstandingly capable and conscientious administrator. Her knowledge of the history and workings of the School had few parallels and she handled a complex portfolio of demanding responsibilities with great assurance and sensitivity. Utterly devoted to the School, its staff and students, she became a beacon of help and hope to the countless numbers who turned to her for advice and guidance. Miss Stead retired in 1991.
Although known throughout her career by her maiden name, Miss Stead married Vernon Ellis in 1979. He pre-deceased her.
The funeral service will take place tomorrow (Thursday, 27 March), at 11.00am, at Adel Church, Church Lane, Leeds, LS16 8DQ. In Miss Stead’s memory, the flag will be flown at half-mast on the Parkinson Building.
An obituary is being prepared.