Dr Joyce Sugg RIP

17/08/2018 by Bryan Turner

It is with sadness that we have received news of the death of Dr Joyce Sugg, who joined the staff of Newman College, as it was then, in 1968; and taught English for many years.  She will be remembered by many alumni and former staff for her years of service and commitment.

Like Cardinal John Henry Newman, Joyce was a convert to the Roman Catholic Church from Anglicanism. After reading English at Somerville College, Oxford, she taught in schools and then at Newman College in Birmingham.  She published several books about Cardinal Newman including a biography and an anthology of his letters.

In 2001 Joyce was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters. In 2004 Joyce gifted Newman Chapel a statue entitled ‘The Madonna and Walking Child’, sculpted by Alan Necchi. The statue depicts Mary teaching the little boy, Jesus, how to walk.   This spoke to Joyce of the relationship between teacher and learner and the love and care needed to nurture all moments of learning.

Joyce also lectured and broadcast widely on Blessed John Henry Newman, and in 2010 she was one of the prominent Newman experts used by the BBC during the visit to the UK by Pope Benedict XVI.

May she rest in peace.

Funeral arrangements

The Funeral Mass will be at

St Osmond’s Church in Salisbury

95 Exeter St, Salisbury SP1 2SF

on Wednesday 5th September 2018 at 11:30am