It is with great sadness that we report the death of Rachel Brown of the Finance Office. Rachel passed away on Wednesday 5 December after a five year battle with cancer.

Rachel first joined the University in 1996 in the Internal Audit Department before joining the implementation team for the new finance system, SAP, in 1999. After spending some time away from the University raising her children, Rachel returned to work part-time in the Finance Office on a variety of projects from April 2006 onwards.

We all remember Rachel as extremely bright and clear thinking and someone who could solve seemingly intractable problems. She was also someone with the gift of developing deep friendships with her colleagues. She described her University job as her favourite job and despite her illness she came into work as often as she could. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Rachel's husband, Jem and their children Max, Phoebe and Finn. A book of condolence is available in the Finance Office for Rachel's friends and colleagues to record their thoughts and memories of Rachel before it is passed to the family - please contact Janet Keene for access to this.

A memorial service to celebrate Rachel's life will be held at All Saints Church in Harbury (CV33 9EY) at 1.30pm on Tuesday 18th December - all friends and colleagues are welcome to attend and to join the family afterwards for tea and cakes in the Tom Hauley Room adjoining the church.

A sympathy card and collection are available in the Finance Office and if anyone wishes to make a personal donation please visit the following website.