Secretariat

Mrs Lynda Brown

Mrs Lynda Brown, former Flats Manager, Residential and Commercial Services, died on 25 December 2010.

A pupil at Roundhay School between 1958 and 1963, Lynda went on to gain RSA qualifications in shorthand and typing at Leeds College of Commerce before acquiring an extensive range of secretarial and administrative experience in a series of posts in both the private and public sectors.  These included appointments in an architectural practice and a firm of Chartered Surveyors, the Department of Landscape and Architecture at Leeds City Council, and the Secretary’s Office at the then Huddersfield Polytechnic.  In 1976, Lynda took up a post as Staff Services Supervisor with a mining engineering company but, after the company’s fortunes were hit by recession, she moved to be manager of the mail order arm of Peter Jones China Ltd.

Lynda joined the University in early 1979, as Supervisor of the Bursar’s Secretarial Services.  Her already well-honed organisational skills were put to very good use in this appointment, one element of which involved managing the provision of temporary secretarial cover for departments throughout the University.  With her friendly and outgoing personality, she built up harmonious working relationships with a wide range or departmental heads and administrators.

In 1991, Lynda transferred to Residential and Commercial Services.  Initially, she served as PA to the Director, whilst also taking responsibility for a number of other matters, including acting as Education and Training Supervisor for the Division’s clerical staff and co-ordinating divisional communications, including a termly newsletter.  Lynda’s skills and abilities were held in the highest regard by her senior colleagues and an increasing volume of business was delegated to her, to all of which she proved more than equal.  It was no surprise, therefore, when, in 1998, she successfully applied for the post of Flats Co-ordinator.  This involved operational management of the University’s self-catering accommodation, spread across a number of different sites in Leeds, West Bretton and Wakefield, and ensuring the provision of an efficient and responsive service to some 4700 students.

Throughout her time in the University, Linda brought tact, skill and good judgement to the fulfilment of her responsibilities.  She always stood ready to accept additional demands on her time and earned the respect and admiration of colleagues at all levels for her sense of commitment, initiative and professionalism.

Away from the University, Lynda, together with her husband, Malcolm, was closely involved in a motoring club.  She spent much of her spare time arranging the club’s annual programme of activities, culminating in a day-long event at Harewood House.  Lynda was also closely involved for a number of years with the Jephson Housing Association.

Lynda retired early from the University in 2004.  Sadly, illness marred much of her retirement.

Lynda is survived by Malcolm.

The funeral is being held tomorrow (12th January) at 2.00pm at Wakefield Crematorium, Standbridge Lane, Crigglestone, Wakefield, WF4 3JA.

In Lynda’s memory, the flag will be flown at half-mast on the Parkinson Building tomorrow.