Mrs Rosemary Harvey

Rosemary did not follow a conventional career and dedicated her life to her charitable work and interests. She married twice, divorcing her first husband at the age of 28. After this, she started working full time in a variety of roles, a major achievement being helping to establish a hospice in Bath, an organisation with which she had a lifelong association, in particular helping with fundraising initiatives as a volunteer.

At the age of 38 Rosemary married again and moved to the Scottish borders. Whilst there she made the most of her opportunities, contributing in her community by working for a charity which re-homed cats and dogs and learning to fish for salmon in the local rivers. Later she and her husband moved south to live in different towns in England, eventually settling in Cheltenham. Rosemary was widowed in 2012.

Rosemary had many sporting interests and was an accomplished horse rider. She hunted until the age of 40, switching to beagling following a fall. Throughout her life, Rosemary was an avid follower of the National Hunt.

Wherever she lived engaging with the local community was a priority. Rosemary involved herself in local politics and with various local groups and charities. Music was a great passion as was gardening, and her knowledge of history and art was remarkable. She was an expert on Tudor history and completed a two year course on English art at Oxford.

According to her friends Rosemary was, by her own admission, a difficult pupil. One said “I think we need to take into account the era into which Rosemary was born as her achievements might seem a bit thin compared with many other former pupils’ achievements. She made the most of her opportunities, had a variety of interests, and dedicated her adult life to volunteer fundraising”.

Rosemary was in good health until March 2025, enjoying her many interests, such as walking, visiting art galleries, museums and theatres, acting as a guide at Tewkesbury Abbey and supporting many charities, particularly related to heritage and animal welfare. Very sadly she was diagnosed with cancer in April 2025 and soon became gravely ill, moving into the Lilian Faithfull Care Home in Cheltenham where she passed away.

It was later in life that Rosemary reflected on how well CLC had prepared her for life.  She was proud of the contribution that CLC still makes to girls’ education and always spoke of College with great affection and respect.  She had many happy memories of her time here.

Celebrating the life of Bellis Member, Rosemary Harvey née Steed

We were much saddened to learn of Bellis member, Rosemary Harvey’s passing earlier this year.

In celebration of Rosemary’s life, it was a pleasure to meet up with two of her dear friends on 20th November 2025, Sol Green (Guild and Bellis, née Wicheland, class of 1984) and James Gardner.

At this year’s Cheltenham Literature Festival, and in a fitting tribute to Rosemary’s love of art, a group of Rosemary’s friends sponsored a talk on Constable and Turner.  Sol Green later reported that the talk was excellent and remarked how much Rosemary would have loved it.  So much so that Sol purchased a signed copy of Nicola Moorby’s book “Turner and Constable – Art, Life, Landscape” and had it inscribed “In Memory of Rosemary Harvey”.

We were touched that Sol decided to gift the book to College’s library, benefitting future generations of girls and ensuring that Rosemary’s memory will live on.

It was a pleasure to introduce Sol and James to Anne Muhlberg, College’s Librarian, when the book was presented and we had an opportunity to hear more about Rosemary’s life and interests.

Rosemary was a passionate advocate for College and we will always be grateful for her support.

Rosemary Harvey née Steed, 1958-1965, Roderic and Fauconberg.
b. 12 August 1947 d. 24 June 2025