During her long term of service in Madras she has given
of herself unremittingly and without stint, and countless numbers of
pupils who have passed through her hands will remember with gratitude
not only the precise, scholarly and painstaking way in which she
presented her subjects of English and History, but also her human
qualities of kindliness and understanding. The success of her former
pupils bears testimony to the former, while the never-ceasing stream of
them that find their way to her home for advice and help bear out the
latter.
Although Miss Brown has many outstanding qualities, there is one which
must be given pride of place, one which has impressed all who have come
in contact with her — her integrity. Whether it was in the meting out of
justice in the classroom, or in arguments in
the staffroom, or in dealing with problems of civic affairs, she has
stood firm to what she considered to be the right. But while she has
never hesitated to take what to her was the obvious course, she has
always been willing to listen to the other side, criticise, and even see
merit in it.
Nor can we think of Miss Brown without realising that she brought to her
work a love of her subjects which was expressed in her enthusiasm for
doing all the extras that were demanded of her. On how many occasions
has she chaired the meetings of the Debating Society ? How many people
have had their "accents rude" toned to pleasant modulated sounds ? How
many concerts have benefited from her advice? How many Guides owe their
badges to her patient, skilful examining ?
For many her most endearing qualities must be her sense of humour, her
youthful-ness of spirit and her zest for life. Perhaps to her pupils her
sense of humour is not so evident, for in the interests of classroom
discipline it cannot always be shown, but to her colleagues and friends
she is noted for her sense of fun and quickness to see a joke.
Her interest in everyone and everything is widely known and there is no
part of the world she has not travelled to, on the wings of travellers'
tales told in many a midnight sitting.
To pupil, colleague and friend alike Miss Brown will always remain
"guide, philosopher and friend." May we wish her good health in a long
and happy retirement.
