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Wenda Reynolds, 1914-2017

The College is deeply saddened to write that (Elaine) Wenda Reynolds (English Language & Literature, 1934), our oldest alumna, has passed away at the age of 103. She died in her sleep on the morning of 22^nd October 2017.

Wenda lived a remarkable life. As a young woman she narrowly escaped arrest in wartime France, worked at Bletchley Park, and after the War travelled behind the Iron Curtain to visit Russia. Later in life, she worked for organisations such as London’s Bedford College, the Arts Council and the Architectural Association before settling locally to College in West Hanney on her retirement.

In 2014 alumnae gathered at St Hugh’s to celebrate Wenda’s 100^th birthday. She had returned to the College a few days earlier to attend the opening of The Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre Building, where she met His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge.

She regularly returned to College, most recently just this March for a Dinner with the Principal, and we were always absolutely delighted to see her. Many people in our extended community, across many generations, will have known Wenda very well, and she will be deeply missed.