Priscilla Tolkien

I don't have any further information, but I've just heard of the passing on Monday of Priscilla Tolkien, youngest and last surviving of JRR Tolkien's four children and his only daughter.

Priscilla Mary Anne Reuel Tolkien was born 18 June 1929, so she was 92 years old. She was a little young for The Hobbit when it was being told aloud to her brothers, but by the same token was able to extend the letters from Father Christmas until 1943, when she was 14. At about that time she typed out parts of The Lord of the Rings. She got her university degree from Oxford's Lady Margaret Hall. Seeking a non-academic role in life out of her father's shadow and one that would be of practical assistance to the world, she became a probation officer, though in her later working years spent much of her time teaching and training in the broader field of social work.

I met Priscilla Tolkien on a couple of occasions. It was her custom for many years to invite first-time attendees of Oxonmoot, the Tolkien Society's annual informal conference, to an at-home at the large and rambling yard of her house in the leafy parts of north Oxford. Often there were a small grand-nephew or grand-niece or two playing in the yard. (A notable great-aunt, Priscilla never married or had children of her own.) She was always friendly but formal, reminding me in that respect and also in appearance of what one sees of the Queen, who is of a similar age.

Priscilla Tolkien often spoke at Tolkien Society events, and wrote a few articles recollecting her father and his work. Most important of these was The Tolkien Family Album, an extensive collection of photographs that Priscilla had kept, sorted and captioned in collaboration with her brother John. Her contributions were valuable and her person was cherished.