Memorial for Averil Cameron

Caption

Isla Smith, former Director of Development (1998–2009), reflects on the Memorial Service for Professor Dame Averil Cameron held in Chapel on Friday 12 June. Averil was Keble Warden between 1994 and 2010, the first woman to hold the position, during a period of significant change and growth for the College. A full obituary is available on the ‘Life Stories’ section of our website.

Isla Smith writes:

As I sat waiting for the service to begin, I realised that I had never been at a Chapel service where Averil, sitting ramrod straight, was not in the Warden’s chair, such was her commitment to Chapel life. But more than that, in those quiet moments, I was able to reflect that her commitment to all aspects of College life was exemplary, with her regular attendance at guest night dinners and all the wide range of events which filled the College calendar each year over which she presided with great dignity.

Then the organ struck up and, again, it was a reminder of the pride which she took, through a lot of hard work and cajoling, in masterminding the installation of a new pipe organ. This was the end of a long and divisive saga in the history of the College. The commissioning process was far from easy not least as the organ loft is a difficult size and shape and it was essential that the Butterfield painted pipes remained in situ. The sound of the organ was overlaid with the Choir singing: the experience was wonderful.

The service itself was a fitting tribute to a remarkable person. Each of the eulogies gave us an insight into her life, her determination and her sense of purpose, as well as illustrating the softer side of the public person. The fact that there were several mentions of shoes, lipstick and handbags was entirely appropriate.

I was able to reflect that my mother said that there were three essential ingredients for a successful memorial service. Firstly, you should laugh! Anyone familiar with the ‘interference’ of St John’s College in the bidding process for the Acland Hospital site will laugh at the image of Averil and former Bursar Roger Boden making it clear to the President and the Finance Bursar of St John’s that their actions were out of order.

Secondly, you should always learn something you didn’t know. In my case, I learned that Averil took up playing the piano again in middle age. She had played as a young person and was sufficiently proficient that she could have studied Music rather than Classics. But the pressures of family life and her career intervened and her playing lapsed. She started to play again when she had more time and she derived huge pleasure in playing to a very high standard, which is impressive by any measure.

Finally, my mother used to say the subject of the Memorial should enjoy attending the service themselves! I think that Averil would have done just that, and she would have appreciated the occasion on a variety of different levels and been well pleased. The particular sentiments which would have made Averil smile were those spoken by Dr Michael Hawcroft when he said that Keble became a kinder place under her watch and thus was more at peace with itself. A fitting tribute if ever there was one!