Secretariat

Mary Braithwaite

Mrs Mary Braithwaite, former Senior Clerk in the School of Education, died on 27 December 2010.

Mrs Braithwaite was appointed to the School in February 1981.  Initially, she was involved in the administration of the PGCE programme for aspiring primary school teachers; this involved her in extensive contact with local authorities and schools about the arrangements for recruitment and teaching experience placements.  Later, Mrs Braithwaite became the senior member of staff in the School’s Higher Degrees Office, responsible for the administration of both Advanced Diploma and MEd programmes, as well as research degrees.  Operating with a very substantial degree of autonomy, Mrs Braithwaite secured the smooth running of the office through her sound initiative and balanced judgement.  Upon her devolved much of the responsibility for ensuring that admissions, assessment and examination procedures were carried out accurately and on time.  Her detailed knowledge of the School’s programmes, coupled with her helpful, warm and enthusiastic approach, also equipped her to be an effective source of sound advice to potential applicants.  She was such a strong promoter of the School’s activities and actively encouraged prospective students with her eloquent and persuasive presentations at open evenings.  Mrs Braithwaite enjoyed excellent relations with students and academic and administrative colleagues alike.  She retired in 2000.

Mrs Braithwaite is survived by her husband, Alan, daughter, Sue, who works in Catering Services, and son, David.

The funeral is being held today (6 January 2011) at 11.00am at Stonefall Cemetery and Crematorium, Wetherby Road, Harrogate, HG3 1DE .

In Mrs Braithwaite’s memory, the flag is being flown at half-mast on the Parkinson Building.