Old Propertians and former students of A level German are just two of many groups in the College community who learnt with sadness of the death of Elke Squibbs in October last year, aged 87.
ty of Breslau (now Wrocław in Poland), Elke was to experience the full impact of the Second World War. At the age of only eight, she was forced to flee Breslau ahead of the Russian advance and firstly sought refuge in Dresden, moving on just hours before the Allied bombing raids. Elke’s journey ended in the relative tranquillity of Bavaria, where she developed her lifelong passion for skiing. Later she gained entry to the prestigious Sports Academy in Munich, training as a sports teacher.
It was to her family home in Bavaria that a young English student came as a paying guest. This was, of course, Michael Squibbs, and various repeat visits culminated in their wedding in Bedford. The event marked the beginning of 61 years of marriage, their Diamond Wedding acknowledged in a message from the Queen in August 2022.
Michael’s career at Epsom was already under way, and Elke soon played her full part in College life. Then followed the births of their children, Nicola and Christopher (Fayrer), and Michael was appointed Housemaster of Propert. Elke performed the role of Housemaster’s wife admirably, one former pupil recording “she was like a second mother to us”. Another, Steven Kay (1968-73), remembers: “Elke was always so kind to us and the epitome of the Housemaster’s wife. I remember as a new boy being invited to have a cup of tea with her and it gave a nice feeling of being with a family.” House prefects will remember her ‘Deutsches Abendbrot’, complete with frankfurters and sauerkraut!
As a native speaker of German, Elke also made an invaluable contribution to the Modern Languages Department, principally under John Gunnell’s tenure, and latterly mine, adapting without fuss to the numerous changes made to the oral examination over many years.
In 1990, Michael became Second Master, and was strongly supported in this role by Elke, not least during his memorable term as Acting Headmaster. She was an integral part of the warm College community, helping welcome others as she herself had felt welcomed.
Elke was also a gifted painter, specialising in floral paintings and scenes from the Mediterranean and the locality. She exhibited with the Chelsea Art Society, the Society of Women Artists and the Society of Botanical Artists. In retirement she continued to take much pleasure in this, and even more in watching the progress of her grandsons, Robert and Simon, of whom she was immensely proud.
It is exceptionally sad that the final few years of this talented and warm-hearted lady should have been afflicted with increasing mental frailty, but it is greatly to the credit of Michael, Nicola and Christopher that she was able to remain at home throughout. In offering the family our deepest sympathy, we trust that they will have derived some consolation from the scores of cards, messages and other tributes they received, reflecting the huge respect in which Elke was held by all.
By Roger Gill, former Head of Modern
Languages and former Deputy Head (Staff)
