Secretariat

Miss Mary Turnbull, BSc

We are very sorry to let colleagues know of the death, on 12 January 2012, of Miss Mary Turnbull, former Departmental Secretary in Pharmacology.

Miss Turnbull, who was born in 1920, was a Chemistry graduate of the University of London; before coming to Leeds, she worked mainly as a teacher of Chemistry and Physics. Appointed to a temporary clerical post in the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry in 1951, she moved to the Department of Pharmacology in the following year, remaining there until her retirement in 1985.

As Departmental Secretary, Miss Turnbull was held in the highest regard. With no trace of fuss or pressure, she dealt with unfailing efficiency and despatch with a considerable volume of demanding responsibilities, including looking after the departmental accounts and running the departmental library, as well as supporting senior academic staff in their University and extramural commitments.  Her background meant she also had a particular facility for the preparation of material for publication, including specialised papers.  Her tact and discretion were absolute and she enjoyed the full trust and confidence of her colleagues.

In 1977, Miss Turnbull was presented with a Long Service Award.