With deep sadness we announce the death of our dear friend Janet Lash. We send our heart-felt condolences to Janet’s husband David Pender Cudlip and son Dominic and their families and all who mourn Janet’s death. Janet was an extraordinary woman and a dedicated, generous and enthusiastic supporter of our Institute from its very beginning. She chaired the Institute’s fundraising appeal which resulted in the purchase of the Grange Road site. For many years, she served as a member of the Institute’s Council.

Our Library was named the ‘Lash Library’ in recognition of the generous support we received from Janet and her first husband Professor Nicholas Lash. Even if the library had to downsize, we proudly hold the Lash Collection in the Taylor Room adjacent to our Office. Our Lash Library is a member of the Association of British Theological and Philosophical Libraries. As a wise and caring friend, Janet accompanied the Institute in times of joy and in times of crisis. Her ‘approval’ of the sale of the Grange Road site and the recent move to our permanent home at Woolf Institute meant a lot to us. Only a few months ago, Janet spoke warmly about our new home and the new (confident) stage of the Institute’s mission.

Janet’s absence will be deeply felt. But, her legacy will live on, and we will continue to be inspired by her positive spirit, her commitment to theological formation, especially of women, her deep faith and prayerful presence.

We will have an opportunity to express our gratitude for Janet’s life and the many gifts she brought to the Institute at our End of Year Mass at St Edmund’s College Chapel on 6 June, 5 pm. There will be a special presentation of the Lash Chalice which we have been planning for some time and which Janet was going to attend. We are pleased that Dominic will read the history of the  Chalice on behalf his late mother. You can read the story of this chalice by clicking here.