Staff at Caversham may well have known Sophie Diener, a researcher in the library, but few knew much about the fascinating aspects of her life.  She died, aged 87, at the end of June.  There was no funeral - she left her body to medical science.  A well attended memorial service led by Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain was held on Wednesday at Henley.

Sophie's only family was a distant cousin in America - the other 60 to 70 members perished in the holocaust.

With her mother and father she fled to England from Vienna after Kristallnacht, November 1938.  Her father had been the joint owner of the famous Three Hussars restaurant and their escape was sponsored by the Duke of Windsor, a frequent patron of the restaurant.  Sophie personally handed her mother's Cartier diamonds and other jewellery to the Duchess of Windsor at the restaurant to bring to England for safe keeping.  They were retrieved from a bank vault when the Dieners eventually arrived.

Sophie obtained a degree in International Law from London University and spoke five languages.  In retirement she was called back to Caversham to archive and translate wartime German newspapers and other material.  Her ability to read and translate gothic script, both printed and hand written, was much valued.