Christine (Chris) Wilkins

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Mrs Christine (Chris) Wilkins on 4 December 2025.

After her German degree and teacher training studies at the then University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, Chris first joined the University College of Wales’ Rural Sciences Library in 1971, working there until 1982. She returned to the University in 1990 as a Library Assistant in the Hugh Owen Library once her children, Claire and Nick, were older. Throughout her career, Chris was dedicated to supporting students in finding the books, journals and resources they needed for their studies.

She embraced the transformation of library services from the early 1990s onwards, moving confidently from the printed card catalogue to the first online systems and early dial‑up databases such as BIDS, and later to the wide range of ebooks, ejournals and digital resources used today. Chris provided unfailingly cheerful, patient and knowledgeable support to students, always going the extra mile to help with reference queries and academic work.

Chris retired in June 2015, choosing to work beyond retirement age because of her love for the library and because she was so greatly appreciated by her colleagues and students. She was missed not only for her deep knowledge of the collections and her exceptional service to users, but also as a warm, generous and much‑loved colleague.

In retirement, Chris remained as active and engaged as ever. She and her husband Pete enjoyed adventurous walking holidays to destinations including Machu Picchu; she volunteered weekly at the local foodbank; she took piano lessons; and she was a valued alto in the Aberystwyth Choral Society.

Chris is deeply missed by her library colleagues. We send our sincere condolences to her husband Pete, her children Claire and Nick, and to her whole family.