We Remember

It has been fascinating to learn more about the lives of our Old Girls and former staff; all with very different stories, but with Prior’s Field as the common theme. We are delighted to have published the full obituaries in the We Remember pages of the Archive Online: https://archive.priorsfieldschool.com/history.aspx

Gillian Harben née Burne - 1930–2016

Gillian (Gillie) Harben née Burne (OG 1942–1947) attended Prior’s Field, along with her sister Patsy (please see separate entry below). Gillie married Robin Kernick in 1951 and then Peter Harben in 1964 with whom she raised their six children. Their youngest child, Edward, was born with Down's Syndrome, and Gillie then campaigned tirelessly for people with mental disabilities, particularly for Home Farm Trust. She remained Edward's primary carer until she died. She was loved by all from all walks of life. Gina Pocock, daughter

Kathleen 'Shirley' Toulson née Dixon - 1924–2018

Shirley Toulson (OG 1936–1940) was a highly regarded poet and an innovative writer about Britain’s walks, ancient tracks and traditions. During World War II she worked with the Auxiliary Territorial Service and met my father, Norman Toulson, an army lieutenant. Shirley studied English at Birkbeck College, London University, and became a teacher. Then worked at the London bookshop Foyles, before becoming a freelance journalist, contributing to the Times Educational Supplement, after which she became a features editor on the Teacher, and editor of Child Education. Janet Sayers, daughter

Patricia 'Patsy' Lidsey née Burne - 1927–2019

Patsy (OG 1938–1943) was generous of spirit and helped and supported wherever she could. She was an active volunteer to a number of different organisations, including Soldiers', Sailors' & Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA) as a case worker for retired service people and their families, and for Macmillan Cancer Support. Patsy was married in 1955 to John Lidsey of the 1st The Queens Dragoon Guards. She loved their adventurous life and was devoted to him and their three daughters. Sarah Lidsey, daughter

Karen Bryant, Former Staff - 1942–2019

Ever loyal to the five Headmistresses and eight Bursars she worked for, Karen (PF 1969–2003) was a proud guardian of her role throughout her thirty four year career at PF. She is remembered fondly. She was immaculately discreet, it working both ways, as Mrs McCallum was never regaled with any staff gossip! A perfectionist and with brilliant shorthand, Karen had perfect grammar and punctuation. We remember, with admiration, Karen cycling her old bicycle up and down Charterhouse Hill, to the school she loved and served so loyally. Kindly put together by former PF staff

Anne Tibbs née Wortley - 1932–2019

Anne (OG 1945–1948) studied in Paris for six months after PF, then went to art school in London. Having met Michael in 1950 she then got married in 1951 at the age of 19. She joined him in the Sudan for four years before settling in Lynchmere, West Sussex where she brought up her two boys. She leaves her husband Michael after almost 68 years of happy marriage, two sons, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Philip Tibbs, son

Debbie Pretty, Former Staff - 1959–2019

Debbie (PF 2012–2019) joined PF as Housemistress in the Junior House. She was ably assisted by her four-legged friend Millie and later, Boo. Debbie enjoyed planning trips including Winter Wonderland, despite disliking the rides, because she knew the girls loved them. Debbie's care for the girls was intuitive, knowing when a no-nonsense approach was needed, or when some TLC was the best action. Debbie will stay in our memories in the form of a lovely wooden archway into the Rose Garden. Emma Picken, Head of Boarding

Shirley Toulson

Patsy Lidsey

Karen Bryant

Debbie Pretty

Rosemary (OG 1950–1954) had Prior’s Field in her heart since she left in 1954. Her lifelong group of PF friends miss her greatly. After school she qualified as a Nightingale nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital, London and was always very grateful for her training and proud of having survived its rigours. A devoted wife to Nicholas and loving mother of Fiona and Victoria, she also served as a Justice of the Peace for many years and helped found ‘Mediation in Divorce’ which has been offering mediation in London and Surrey since 1983. Rosemary’s daughter, Fiona

Joan Constantinidi - 1924–2020

Excerpt and photo from The Times, January 2020 Joan (OG 1935) was a model after leaving Prior’s Field and then worked as a beauty editor for Queen magazine (later Harpers & Queen) where she managed to handle the volatile proprietor Jocelyn Stevens. Standing at nearly 6ft tall and being regularly spotted in San Tropez, Joan knew how to carry herself. Joan Constantinidi came to the attention of Margaret Thatcher and would go to Downing Street to prepare the Prime Minister’s face before Conservative Party conferences and other events.

Caroline Stead - 1961–2020

Caroline Stead's family reported, very sadly, that Caroline (OG 1972–1976) died as a result of a car accident in January 2020. A beautiful girl and a good friend.

Elizabeth Britneff née Hurst - 1929–2020

When we were moving Mummy out of her flat into the nursing home we found her Junior Wimbledon certificate that she completed with OG Helen Milliken. We put it in a frame and she did chuckle a lot! Always down-playing her tennis ability, she taught us and was a great player. Elizabeth (OG 1942–1947) had a wonderful sense of humour, she was intelligent, kind, caring and fun. She worked at the local newspaper in Tunbridge Wells upon returning from living in South Africa. Theresa Yates-Round, daughter

Sheila Pitt née Mills - 1930–2020

Sheila (1942–1948) became great friends with Josephine Pitt (OG 1942–1947) at PF and in the school holidays she would often stay with Jo, where she met Jo’s brother, Robin, whom she later married. Sheila spent a year in Sweden as an au pair before doing a cookery course at the Monkey Club in Chelsea. She was a very good cook, and there were always delicious things to eat. She trained as a Nightingale nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital and in 1951 started her married life in Nailwell, near Bath. Robert Pitt, son

Rose Job née Gordon - 1935–2020

Old Girl and former treasurer of the PFOGA, Rose Job née Gordan (OG 1948–1953) passed away on 27th August 2020, adored widow of Roger. Thank you to Old Girl Helen Milliken for notifying us

Olivia MacAuslan née Forest Smith - 1936–2020

Old Girl Helen Milliken reported that Oliva MacAuslan (OG 1939–1944) died on 14th July 2020 aged 84. She has three children and two grandchildren.

Sarah Sutton - 1959–2020

Sarah (OG 1974–1976) came to PF from Canada and excelled at English, in particular. She worked for a number of major publishing houses over her thirty five year career, most notably for a decade as Editorial Director of Thorsons - part of Harper Collins. Sarah lived on the famous Gold ‘Hovis’ Hill in Dorset, where she wrote over two dozen books. Her memorial fund continues to grow and has raised over £10,000 towards the development of Westminster Memorial Hospital in Shaftesbury: https://sarahsutton.muchloved.com/ Fundraising Richard, Brother

Sarah Sutton Joan Constantinidi

Caroline Stead

Elizabeth Britneff

Sheila Pitt