ARENDT, Josephine

In loving memory of Jo, who died unexpectedly two years ago after a long period of poor health. Her particular loves were her family, the Alps, her island home and her life's research work on the hormone melatonin and associated circadian rhythms such as jet lag and shift work, all of which brought her world renown. On returning from 12 years working in Geneva, she was appointed as Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Surrey in Guildford, where she collaborated with many groups across the world, where her helpful and cheerful character earned her many friends, both in Guildford and in Guernsey. Among her more adventurous exploits were two trips to a British research base in Antarctica, on one occasion travelling there from England by ship and persuading members of the crew to collaborate in some shift work experiments. She was appreciative of the arts and music, and active in the fight for improved women's rights and equality when these were rather rare. She was happily married to John for 58 years, and although often in pain and under medical treatment, these never affected her intellectual capacities and programmes such as WhatsApp enabled her to keep in regular touch with her family, friends, colleagues and students. She is much missed by her children, Rachel in France and Paul in Scotland and her grandchildren, Tom and Dan.

First published in the Guernsey Press on 04/09/2025.