Ann Southey

We are very sad to report that Ann Southey died peacefully on 19th June after a short battle with cancer. 

A larger than life character who had a distinctive turn of phrase, Ann Southey was a trailblazer in more ways than one. Professionally, she was one of the first female metallurgists, working for Wilkinson Sword, in a predominantly men’s world. During her leisure hours, she poured heart and soul into rowing, preserving the name of her beloved St George’s Ladies Rowing Club, coaching and officiating and playing a key role in the foundation of Henley Women’s Regatta, the success of which speaks to her unwavering dedication. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.

From the British Rowing website:
Ann was a stalwart of St George’s Ladies RC, which later became part of Twickenham RC, and then – for a great many years – of Civil Service Ladies RC (now Barnes Bridge Ladies RC), as well as of many major competitions.

As a rower, a career highlight was winning the Women’s Coxed Fours with St George’s Ladies RC at the inaugural National Championships in 1972. Her crew, which also contained Beryl Mitchell (later Beryl Crockford) and was coxed by future British Rowing Chairman Di Ellis, went on to be selected to represent England at the Home Countries International Regatta, which they also won.

In 1988, she was one of the group who founded Henley Women’s Regatta, and was the committee member responsible for compiling the Regatta programme for 15 years until 2002. She will be deeply missed this weekend in the Chairman’s Enclosure where in recent times her many friends in rowing have enjoyed her friendship, lively conversation and insight.

Ann was a very deserving recipient of the Amateur Rowing Association Medal of Honour in 2008. This recognised her enormous record of volunteer work as a member of the ARA Council as a divisional representative, member of the Women’s Rowing Commission, member of the Competition Committee, organiser of the Women’s Head of the River Race, co-founder and long term member of the Henley Women’s Regatta Committee, member of the Pairs’ Head Committee and National Championships Committee, coach and umpire.

Ann's funeral will be at 11.00 on Tuesday 30th July 2024, at West Berkshire crematorium. For anyone not able to attend in person, there will be an on-line link which will be live at 10:00 UTC (please contact us for login details).

All are encouraged to attend a celebration of Ann's life after the service, to reminisce in a way that Ann would have enjoyed. This will be at John and Ann's house, in Whitchurch on Thames. Please let John know if you are able to attend, so he can plan catering (please contact us for more details and John's email address). Rowing blazers or similar are encouraged, both for the service and the celebration.

No flowers please, but donations to Cancer Research in Ann's memory would be much appreciated. This link allows you to include Ann's name.

Ann (right) with friends Jackie Darling and Penny Haslam-Palfrey in 2010