Lady Wilson celebrated
A聽service聽of thanksgiving for the life of聽Mary Wilson聽was held聽on 26 November.
Gladys Mary Wilson, Baroness Wilson of聽Rievaulx, was an English poet and wife of the former Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson.聽Baron Wilson of聽Rievaulx, KG, OBE, PC, FRS, FSS was an Economics Fellow at聽Univ聽from 1938 to 1945.
Baroness Wilson died on 6 June 2018, aged 102, the only spouse of any UK Prime Minister to have died a centenarian.
The service, which took place聽at the Guild Church of St. Martin-within-Ludgate, a聽charming聽Wren church near St Paul鈥檚 Cathedral,聽was聽intimate, with music provided聽by聽a聽choir comprised of family and friends.
Dr Robin Darwall-Smith (1982, Classics), College Archivist, attended聽the memorial service聽as the College鈥檚 representative on behalf of the Master, and sang in the choir. He commented that it came across聽during the service聽just how聽much聽Mary Wilson聽was liked and聽esteemed.
Robin Butler (1957, Classics), Lord Butler of聽Brockwell,聽former Master of the College (1998-2008), and Lady Butler also attended the ceremony.
Two former Prime Ministers,聽Gordon Brown and聽Sir聽John Major,聽both read lessons, with Margaret Beckett giving a tribute. Richard聽Harries, Baron Harries of聽Pentregarth, FRSL, former Bishop of Oxford,聽gave the sermon.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Mary鈥檚 family in particular her two sons Robin and Giles.
Published: 28 November 2018
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