Memorial service for Dorothy May Walters-Godfree: Tue 7 Jul

12 June 2015

Dorothy May Walters-Godfree - former organiser of Bath's Norwood Society (the original University Womens’ Society)

(21 May 1918 – 23 February 2015)

Memorial Service, Tuesday 7 July, 12.30pm, Bath Abbey

Followed by a reception at The Abbey Hotel, North Parade

Following the burial in Derbyshire on March 27 there will be a Memorial Service in Bath Abbey on Tuesday 7 July at 12.30pm followed by a reception at The Abbey Hotel on North Parade, Bath

Besides the love for two husbands, Dorothy had three passions in her life : ‘Poetry, Politics and Poodles’.

The politics was born out of her marriage to Gerald, her Derbyshire childhood boyfriend who taught history and had aspirations to enter Parliament.  Dorothy was his political Agent in Ilkeston, where he stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate.

Following Gerald to College life in Bristol, Dorothy developed her love for poetry and successfully published her first collection of poems : “And Will the Robin Sing Again”.

Gerald, together with Angus Buchanan and David Brooke, became the Humanities group when the College became the new University and moved to Bath.

Sadly and unexpectedly Gerald died at the age of 49 and the University established the Gerald Walters Memorial Lecture in his memory, which instantly (with Kenneth Clark’s lecture on Civilization  (Iconophobia) became the prestigious series it is today as it approaches its 44th lecture.

Besides supporting the lecture series, Dorothy has played her part in the University’s life organising the Norwood Society (the original University Womens’ Society) and in the City has been most prominent, until recent years, in The Bath Conservative Association  and various local women’s groups.

Dorothy died peacefully in February at the age of 96 with poems such as “Eternity” and “In the Care Home” still coming from her pen in her later years at Cedar Lodge on Bathwick Hill.

Dorothy’s generous legacy to the University is symbolic of her and Gerald’s contribution to the University.

Anybody would be welcome to attend the Memorial Service.

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