News

St Mary’s graduate celebrates centenary

(25 April 2005)

One of the University’s oldest graduates, Mrs Marjorie Spear, of St Mary’s college, celebrated her hundredth birthday on 12 April 2005.

In 1921, at only 16 years old, she came to the University to read English. She obtained a BA in 1924 and an MA in 1925.

After her time at Durham University, where she met her first husband, Harold Schofield, she went on to obtain a qualification in elocution, with which she became an instructor in speech training under the Nottingham Education Council.

She went on to have two children, Judith and Peter, and three grandchildren, Robert, 45, Alison, 37 and Martin 35.

After Harold passed away in 1971, she remarried in 1977 to Norman Spear, who, sadly, is also now deceased.

Congratulations from the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Sir Kenneth Calman, will be joining the many good wishes Marjorie has received.

Sir Kenneth Calman said, “Obtaining her first degree from Durham University at the age of 19 is a tremendous achievement. Mrs Spear must have been a remarkable student.”

Marjorie now lives in a North View Care Home in Whitley Bay.

The University has incomplete information about some of its oldest graduates, but records indicate that there could be ….former students who have celebrated their 100th birthday.