The University was very sorry to hear that Marianne Du Sautoy had passed away peacefully at home on 14 November 2020.

Marianne joined the University in 2005 as PA to Professor Keith Mander, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, after previously working in London and relocating to her beautiful cottage in Kent.

Marianne had a strong, colourful personality and made quite an impact at the University from the start.  She could appear quite terrifying on first meeting, but in reality she combined years of experience, consummate professionalism, great attention to detail, kindness and charm, so that whatever needed to be done was done, and done well. With Marianne, there was also an air of fun and excitement, not to mention the most vibrant wardrobe, shoe and bag collection ever seen in the corridors of the Registry!

Marianne retired from the University in 2015 and went on to spend much of her time travelling – to New Zealand, California, Machu Picchu and many European and UK destinations – as well as pursuing her passion for music and theatre.

Marianne’s friends in the Vice Chancellor’s Office tell how, after leaving the University, there were so many friends and colleagues who wanted to stay in touch and hear the many stories that Marianne always had to tell, that the ‘Audience with Marianne’ event was created. Marianne would visit the Gulbenkian over a period of a couple of hours or so, and her various friends from across the University would ‘drop in’ to say hello and enjoy a lively catch up. Her friends tell how ‘there was always so much laughter at these gatherings and Marianne always left us with a smile and something fun to talk about!  When we learnt of Marianne passing away, we found it hard to comprehend how we wouldn’t see her again. However, the conversations quickly turned to ‘do you remember’ and we were all laughing again at the lovely memories she left us with, be it about fun, determination and strength, fashion, tales of travels or simply remembering what an impact Marianne had on us’.

Marianne’s strength and steely determination to live life to the full will be part of her legacy.  Friends will raise a glass to her in celebration of a life lived to the full, and in grateful thanks that she shared so much laughter and friendship with us.

Professor Keith Mander pays a touching tribute to Marianne Du Sautoy

Donations in memory of Marianne, can be made to Cancer Research UK.