Staff news

Joanne Cockburn (1951–2011)

Huw Lewis remembers Joanne Cockburn, Administrative Secretary for the Division of European Languages and Cultures.

After a short illness, Joanne Cockburn died at the Western General Hospital on 23 June.

Joanne first joined the University staff in 1995 as Junior Secretary in French.

She soon progressed to Senior Secretary, and then took on further responsibilities as European Languages was restructured first into the School of European Languages and Cultures, and subsequently as a division of European Languages and Cultures within the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures.

Prior to that she had gained substantial experience working in Europe as well as in the United Kingdom.

As a senior and highly experienced member of the administrative staff within European Languages, Joanne was pivotal in implementing the various structural and procedural changes that have been introduced in recent years.

Her responsibilities brought her into close contact with colleagues from all around the University. Joanne’s detailed knowledge of the University, and its procedures, was complemented by a willingness to go the extra mile to support those around her.

Joanne’s help was given readily to all, and many seemingly insoluble problems were resolved thanks to her expert input and hard work.

All of this, of course, was accompanied by a keen sense of humour and fun.

Joanne’s absence will be keenly felt by all those who came into contact with her, and especially her father Robert, and son Ross, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.

Notes

Huw Lewis is Head of the Division of European Languages and Cultures.

A full version of this obituary will be published in the autumn edition of Bulletin.