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Pat Martyn-Smith worked at Lancing College in a variety of roles across the decades, her time at Lancing spanning 1991 to the summer term of 2024. She inspired generations of boys and girls (as Head’s House Matron, as Netball Coach, as Malawi Expedition leader) and was a friend and mentor to a host of colleagues across the teaching and support staff bodies.
As a netball umpire, Pat was a hugely influential figure in Sussex, officiating matches at local, county, regional, and national levels. Her passion for umpiring shone through each game she attended. Deeply respected by players, with a firm yet fair approach, she was a mentor for emerging umpires, and an inspiring coach. She has left a shooting and defensive legacy at Lancing that will be shared and inform play for many years to come.
Pat was also an exceptional and courageous athlete. She learned to swim in her 60s —overcoming a fear of water – in order to compete in triathlons and her passion for the outdoors and her delight in cycling and running, propelled her through marathons and iconic bike rides alike. Above all, Pat embraced every moment with an unwavering “can-do” attitude. Her vibrant spirit and determination were contagious, motivating all in her orbit to push their limits and pursue their dreams. She coached in life as well as on the pitch.
Pat was an outstanding co-leader on four Lancing College Malawi expeditions. Forthright and encouraging, Expeditioners were sustained by her knowledge of their individual capacities and the way in which she helped people towards them. Reassuringly demanding she was a formidable judge and manager of people. She had kindness in spades, but a bracing and unsentimental kindness. She met everyone on her own terms, enabling generations of Lancing pupils to give of their best on these expeditions, braced by her own calibrated determination and by the pioneering and unwaveringly positive example she set.
Watching Pat in Malawi was a tonic. She utterly won over the Malawian people, up and down the country, throwing herself into netball and football matches; winning the respect and affection of the Lancing College Malawian staff (who to a man she called ‘dear’, and who responded to her in kind with the same appellation).
Ted and Osman, our closest Malawian companions on these trips, asked that their message be read at her funeral, and it is reproduced here:
“Fare thee well, Pat. We learn of your passing with a heavy heart and deep sorrow. Having directly worked with you in the years 2012-2018 it brings a lot of fresh memories how you tirelessly made sure that the Malawi expeditions turned out to be a success. Your dedication was exceptional, your participation in all activities including playing football and netball were a marvel to watch. And your love for the orphaned babies at Open Arms displayed how much love you had for the country Malawi. Even after retiring from fulltime at Lancing College, you never stopped thinking of your Malawian team mates. Your beautiful presents sent to us in 2022 were warmly received and highly appreciated. Today as you walk your last mile, we together with our families and the entire Malawi team would like to join your family and the Lancing College community in celebrating your life. Rest in Peace Pat.”
Between 2004 – 2020 Pat was Matron to three Housemasters in Head’s – a Day House not thought to need a Matron – which it did – and a role which Pat initially thought she was not up to – which she so very clearly was! Brisk, efficient, endlessly cheerful, memories include her arriving early on a Shrove Tuesday, armed with bucket-loads of flour, sugar, eggs, milk, and whipping up enough pancakes to sink several battleships or when an unwise game of hockey in the top-floor houseroom put a football-sized hole in Pat’s (newly painted) plasterwork. The Housemaster, his study three floors down, could hear every word of the famous Martyn-Smith hairdryer.
She exuded the sort of natural authority that can only be borne of unfeigned respect: she carried the troops with her and the boys loved her. They knew she stood for good manners, good humour and a tidy pitt. Her ‘roll up the sleeves and get the job done’ attitude was combined with deep care and a lively interest in all those under her wing and a perennial ability to find the right words to meet the moment.
The same with Head Masters and Third Formers, knowing neither fear not favour, she was rock to fellow-matrons and beloved by her cleaning team. Stylishly elegant at Leavers’ Balls with Peter in his glorious jackets or clambering up the last steep ascent on Mount Mulanje, there was the same infectious smile and piercingly laughing blue eyes.
Indomitable, nature-defyingly energetic, Pat is a Lancing legend and a lady who crossed continents to bring her unique brand of life-affirming, life-enhancing joy to so many.
Her funeral in the Lancing College Chapel (the ends of aisles festooned with her bright collection of running shoes) was thronged by friends and family, by Lancing College staff past and present and by current and former pupils - boys and girls/ men and women going back across over three decades - testimony of the many lives she influenced and how widely and deeply she is loved.
Hilary Dugdale - Director of Admissions