Ellen Moilanen, Reuben College’s Academic Administrator, died on 8 February near Oxford Parkway Station. Ling Felce, a postdoctoral scientist at both the Nuffield Department of Medicine and Radcliffe Department of Medicine, died on 1 March at The Plain roundabout.
The University expresses its sincere condolences to family and friends of both Ellen and Ling.
Ellen Moilanen
Ellen worked for many years in the Faculty of Law in the Social Sciences Division, before moving to Reuben College, where she contributed to its development as a new college. Reuben College has said that 'Ellen will be fondly remembered as a friend to all, resourceful, funny, kind, to the point, and endlessly patient. Never could the college expect to have been blessed with such a wonderful colleague, and never could we have dreamt she be taken so suddenly. Our thoughts are with her husband Karo, family, friends and with all those for whom and with whom she worked so happily.’
The Social Sciences Division also expressed its sadness at Ellen’s death, sending ‘deepest sympathies to her husband Karo and her family’.
A number of college events were held in Ellen’s memory, and her funeral took place on 28 February. Any entries for the book of condolence held at Reuben College can be emailed to senior.tutor@reuben.ox.ac.uk and will be pasted into the book. Cards can be addressed to the South Lodge, South Parks Road, OX1 3RF, and will be forwarded to Ellen's family.
Ling Felce
Ling contributed to research projects studying the immune response to COVID-19. Professor Tao Dong, in whose lab Ling worked, has paid tribute, saying that she ‘quickly became a beloved member of our lab family. Ling was an incredibly kind and delightful colleague: we will miss her smiling face in group meetings. Ling was a very bright young scientist, excited about the future and everything it may bring for her and her young family. We are devastated by this tragedy that has taken her at such a promising point in her life. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.’
A vigil for Ling will be held at 2.30pm on 8 March at the Plain roundabout. A book of condolence is currently being arranged by the Nuffield Department of Medicine.
University mental health services
If you are personally affected by these events, please do take advantage of the University’s mental health services, which include 24-hour counselling services.
University position on road safety
As both recent deaths involved HGVs, the University is working on mitigating measures which might prevent future cyclist deaths, including:
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requesting an urgent meeting of the Oxford Growth Group (including the University, colleges, Oxfordshire County Council and the district councils) to push for investment to improving safety at roundabouts
