Custom Search within WGHSOGU - Find what you are looking for really quickly!

Mary was born in Halesworth. Her father worked for the Inland Revenue and her mother was a teacher. Her younger brother, John, was tragically killed in the war at the age of 18. Mary was a vegan since she was thirteen. Mary attended the Priory School for Girls, Shrewsbury, where she won honours in art. She went on to the London Art Training College in Clapham. From there she worked at St. David's Welsh School in Ashford. In 1930 she became a freelance working in London organizing events.

In 1935, fifty thousand copies of her 'Zoo Wheel' were printed in conjunction with Julian Hurley at London Zoo. Mary had a stand at the British Industries Fair at Olympia. Later she took a model of her Ark to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children and used to visit children in the hospital regularly. The 'Zoo Wheel' was also taken to Italy. Mary has been remembered in Atri (an Italian School) which named the English section after her. WGHS has information on both of these. Her motto was to 'Teach children to care for animals and to help babies, and when they become adults they will care for the survival of the universe'.

In 1938 she was the founder and principal of the British School of Colour. Her 'ABC of Colour Wheel' and other publications were printed and used by schools. She gave talks on colour to evening institutes and Youth Clubs while working in the day for London County Council doing welfare work in the rest centre services and children's care.

In 1944, Mary moved from London to WGHS where she taught art until December 1951. She kept in touch with the school afterwards, writing to both pupils and teachers. In 1965 Mary retired to Lancing to live with her journalist friend, Winifred. She still kept busy and in 1970, at the age of 68, she walked 21 miles in 6hrs 5mins to raise £90 for the vegetarian youth movement in London. Mary became involved with several protests, involving the conditions of circus animals on Lancing Beach Green; the tethering of horses on Lancing Clump; the exports of live animals at Shoreham; and supporting nature and animal projects all over the world. In particular, Mary became involved with 'The Born Free Federation' which sent a message read out at her funeral: "Mary was an animal welfare champion throughout her long and varied life and her commitment to all creatures never diminished. Sadly, her light has now diminished after more than a century but her spirit remains as strong as ever" – Will Travers. In 1987, after the hurricane, Mary was up at 8.00am planting trees with other members of the community to replace those blown down on Lancing Clump. By now she was 86 yet planted 32 trees in all and for many years continued to care for them. At the age of 93 she had to give up driving, but did not stop her charity work. Her final project was for more trees to be planted in Lancing and in July 2006 she approached the district council for help. £600 was raised for more planting by the time she died in October 2006.

Mary was visited regularly by her friend Mrs Chris Marchant, who kindly provided all the details for this life story. I began my teaching career at WGHS in the Art Department when Mary left and I have kept in contact ever since. I painted Mary a special birthday card when she reached 100 years and have a photograph of her holding my card. This also shows a table with cards and presents including a bouquet sent by the Friends of the Girls' High School.

Sylvia Stanyer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: The information given on this website is believed to be accurate. However the webmistress is human, and mistakes can be made... just let me know if you spot one. Accuracy of information in articles that have been submitted for publication are the responsibility of the author, they are reproduced in good faith. The opinions expressed in them are those of the individuals concerned and do not in any way represent policies of the school or OGU.