Tribute paid to MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology archive assistant Teresa Wallman, following her death at 48

The funeral of Teresa Wallman, the archive assistant at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, has been held following her death at the age of 48.

Teresa, who worked at the famous laboratory for more than 12 years, died on January 5 following long-term health problems associated with a congenital heart defect.

Born in Cambridge, she attended Chesterton Community College and Cambridge Regional College before studying early modern history and Irish studies at St Mary’s University College, in Twickenham, London.

When she returned to Cambridge, she worked as a museum attendant at the Fitzwilliam Museum and then joined the Government Office for the East of England, working initially as an administrative officer in human resources for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), before moving to the business support team.

She joined the LMB in October 2010 on secondment from that team.

Teresa was looking for a career change and was keen to work in libraries and information services, so was taken on as a joint library and archive assistant.

She became a permanent member of staff at the LMB from April 2012, before changing to working solely in the LMB archive in 2018.

While working in the library, she oversaw document delivery requests for material from other libraries and was also responsible for the book catalogue and loans and keeping electronic journal lists up-to-date.

She assisted with open access requests, keeping compliance records and helped to train new library staff and users, becoming the first port of call for many visitors to the library, particularly when the LMB moved in 2013 to its new building on Cambridge Biomedical Campus, where she occupied the front information desk.

Teresa maintained databases including the list of LMB alumni, its scientific publications and newspaper articles, while assisting with inquiries, displays, the writing of biographies and news stories, and helping at many alumni and public engagement events, such as the 2013 official opening, the 2014 alumni symposium and open days in 2013 and 2017.

Quiet and unassuming, Teresa was described by the LMB as “a very friendly and helpful member of both teams, and to many visitors to the library and archive” who appreciated her warm smile.

“Those who came to know her well enjoyed her understated but keen sense of humour,” said the LMB.

Teresa’s funeral service took place on January 25 at St Laurence Roman Catholic Church in Milton Road, Cambridge.