Simon Offen's Memorial

Christ Church Cathedral was full to capacity last week for the Memorial Service of former Vincent’s Member, Bursar and Development Director of the V150 Campaign, Simon Offen.

The Homily and Blessing was given by the Revd Canon Professor Nigel Biggar, the former Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford, and prayers were led by the Venerable Jonathan Chaffey, Interim Sub-Dean and the Revd Canon Professor Sarah Foot, the Dean-Designate.

Readings were by Sir Graham Wrigley, Mark Coote, Nicholas Offen, Rob Heginbotham and Tim Parker, “You can remember him and only that he’s gone, Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on, (from the Fourth Reading read by Rob Heginbotham), with Giles Vicat delivering a very moving tribute to Simon.

The spectacular musical arrangement was delivered by Christ Church Cathedral Choir with Sub-Organist, Richard Moore, featuring Elgar, Verne and Bach and hymns. 

Legendary for his organisational skills, Simon co-ordinated perfect Dark Blue skies and sunshine as friends and family from across the world and generations, came to celebrate a wonderful life, well-lived.

Christ Church generously hosted the post Memorial Reception and thence to Vincent’s Club for drinks. Toasts were raised by Vincent’s President Matt Williams and Simon’s lifelong friend Philip Weaver and his portrait presented on the Club wall next to Founder, W.B Woodgate.

With the Club full to capacity and beyond, we said goodbye to Simon in true Vincent’s style with the gathering of friends, friendship and laughter ringing out his legacy.