It is with great sadness that we inform the JAGS community of the passing of former Head of Science Dr Stern, who worked at JAGS from 1974 until 1986. She was aged 100 years and 3 months. 

Her obituary is written by her daughter Viv (Class of 1979).

"Joy Stern 10/4/1926-21/7/2026 

"Joy was born in April 1926, attended Haberdasher Askes Girls’ School in West Acton and then Imperial College, London where she completed both a BSc and a PhD in inorganic chemistry between 1944 and 1948, as one of only 28 women in a college of over 500 men. 

"After marrying a fellow IC student, Edward - after whom the school chemistry prize is named - they moved to Edinburgh where she took up a role as Deputy Chief Scientist of the Scottish Coal Board. This involved her in leading investigations into underground accidents and looking for ways to improve safety. She was the first woman to hold such a position in Scotland and the first woman to be allowed legally to work underground in coal mines in Scotland. 

"As a senior scientist she represented the UK in several international conferences as well as being involved in developing contingency plans for dealing with feared nuclear wars. 

"Her first child, David, was born in Edinburgh before the family moved to Loughborough where her second child, Viv, was born and then to Liverpool. 

"Here she took up assorted roles including teaching at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. She collaborated with her husband to write a book on the petrochemical industry and continued raising her family. 

"They moved to London in 1973 and she was recruited by JAGS as Head of Science, teaching chemistry to all year levels from 1974-1986. During this time she undertook the redesign of the science wing amongst other projects. She was also an examiner for the London Examination Board. 

"Her husband died in 1982 and on retirement she moved to Cambridgeshire where she was heavily involved in her local Parish Council, various volunteer organisations such as Meals on Wheels, and was able to satisfy her love of travel by visiting places such as Nepal, Kashmir, China, South America and Iceland long before it was fashionable. 

"She reached her centenary in April, where we celebrated her extraordinary life with a small gathering of her close family and friends. 

"She died peacefully in July 2026 after a short illness and will be missed by her two children and four grandchildren."

If you have any memories of Dr Stern that you would like to share, please contact the JAGS Alumnae Relations Team by emailing alumnae@jags.org.uk.