News

Irene Calvert 1912-2002: former Principal of St Mary's College

(2 January 2003)

The University of Durham has learned with great sadness of the death on 20 December of the former Principal of St Mary's College, Irene Calvert.

Miss Calvert was Principal from 1975 until retiring in 1977, which was also the year she married a fellow College head, Arthur Prowse, the Master of Van Mildert College. She remained in close touch with St Mary's throughout her retirement. Past and present members of the College helped to celebrate her 90th birthday last March, and in October Mrs Prowse attended a special event where the College named a number of rooms and buildings in honour of former Principals.

The University of Durham has learned with great sadness of the death on 20 December of the former Principal of St Mary's College, Irene Calvert.

She joined the University in 1948 as a Lecturer in Education, after 12 years teaching modern languages at schools in Lancashire. She was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1964. She was a dedicated teacher who inspired generations of students with a love of France as well as of education. Her publications contributed to the teaching of French in secondary and primary schools from the 1950s onwards.

Her association with St Mary's began in 1950 when she was resident tutor at the St Mary's house at No 8, South Bailey. She was one of the first to move into the then bleak and muddy site of the present St Mary's building when it was constructed in 1952. For twenty years she acted as President of the Senior Common Room, an honorary post which she fulfilled with wit and flair. As Principal she had astute political gifts and determination, backed up by enormous skill, courtesy and tact.

The current Vice-Principal said today: "Irene Prowse commanded respect and affection here, continuing her active relationship with us until she died. It seems she was a genuinely inspiring teacher whose real interest in her students caused many of them to keep in touch with her long after they left Durham. St Mary's owes her a considerable debt."

Mrs Prowse, whose husband died in 1981, leaves a sister. Her funeral is at Durham Crematorium at 11 am on Monday 6 January.
PR1069, 2 January 2003