Miss Ruth King
Although little about the Coronation was in that School Magazine it did include a heartfelt address given by the Rev Canon R H Jack at the Memorial Service at St Peter’s Church, on the death of the recently retired Miss Ruth King (right) on 28th October 1953.
Below is an abbreviated version and gives an interesting insight into her life outside the school.
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“It was only a short while ago that we came together at divers times and in sundry places to make our parting gifts to Ruth King; to express our gratitude for and our appreciation of, her twenty-five year service as Headmistress of the County High School; to take our leave of a personal friend and to wish her many years of happiness in her retirement.
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“The things we said so recently are still fresh in the minds of most of us. For a quarter of a century she devoted the high qualities of her mind and her physical energy to the well-being of the generations of girls who passed through the school in her time. With the help of a loyal and co-operative staff, she cherished the heritage which was handed to her by her predecessor (Miss WM Crosthwaite) and she
maintained and enhanced the high reputation in which the School has always been held. She was guided by firm convictions and strong principles so that, at times, she would express very frankly and firmly, her opinion of actions or policies which in her view were not in the best interest either of a girl in particular or of the whole School in general. She spared no effort in helping those who were willing to make an effort to help themselves, and there are very many girls in all parts of this land
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“Her services to education were more than local. The knowledge and wisdom which came of long experience were freely at the disposal of all who wished to avail themselves of them and she gave valuable counsel to a number of professional bodies, both in our own county and in national organisations.
“Some of us were her colleagues in the work which was, I suppose, the chief occupation of her leisure hours – her work for the King George V Memorial Club in this town (41 East Stockwell Street). For many years, until she left Colchester, she was the Hon Secretary of the Club and she gave up many evenings to work in it – serving behind the counter, helping to run the various activities of the club, helping individual members of the club in their problems and difficulties. There are many young men and women who have passed through the club who will recall with gratitude her generosity and her friendship in time of need.
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"Some of her other activities I mention only in passing. She took a very full and active part in the concerns of the community – as a member, for all her years in Colchester of the old United Nations Organisation, and later of the United Nations Association, as a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Association (logo left) and of various other bodies. Very frequently, at meetings held to promote some good and pious cause, she was present to contribute her interest and support.
“In her public life she had gained our admiration: in her private life she won our affection. She had a gift for friendship: she practised, in good measure, the art of being kind. And in her own home at Number 60 (High Street) – when she was at ease in the company of her friends – when she was the kindly and happy hostess –that is a memory which those of us who were privileged to receive her hospitality will cherish.
“Kindness, humility, generosity, her desire for the well-being of her fellows - these are among the gifts by which we will remember her. And by her courage and her integrity.”