We are very sorry to notify you of the passing of Annabel who was at the School from 1996 until 2007.

Annabel sadly passed away earlier this month, aged 36 years.

We are conscious that some people who knew Annabel during her time at the School may not be in contact with us and we would be very grateful if you could pass on this information to those that you know.

As is usual practice, we would like to place an obituary for Annabel in the 2024-25 OI Journal. If you know of any stories or memories which you can pass on to us so we can put them together for the publication we would be most grateful. Please address any contributions to me through oldipswichians@ipswich.school

Sally Webber
OI Chair

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Obituary Notice on Eton Fives Association website: https://etonfives.com/obituaries/3709-annabel-griffiths

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Obituary Notice from Costello Medical

It is with profound sadness I am writing to inform the Costello Medical network that Annabel Griffiths, our Global Head of Rare Diseases, tragically died on Saturday 1st March 2025.

Following diagnosis of a rare cancer in early 2024, Annabel has been bravely undergoing extended treatment under the care of Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. We have been in close contact with Annabel and her family throughout this impossibly difficult journey and have been hoping beyond hope that she would make a full recovery. Unfortunately, Annabel’s cancer was very aggressive and she passed away in the Arthur Rank Hospice with her partner and soulmate Philippe Collin at her side.

Annabel changed the direction of Costello Medical for the better forever. No words can do justice to this truly remarkable individual – someone who approached her life with positivity, humour, ambition, compassion, and selflessness. She is the finest this world has to offer.

Since joining us in 2015, Annabel has been a phenomenal force; most notably, it was Annabel who spearheaded our Rare Diseases division back in 2018. She played a critical role in supporting our academic research, was a key advisor to me as part of the Leadership team and had a huge positive impact on the rare disease sector.

No matter what Annabel turned her attention to, she spread her magic; whenever she spoke in a company meeting the whole room was completely captivated, and she was incredibly respected by all who worked with her. Annabel’s reputation as a thought leader within rare disease has been firmly established and her potential unlimited. Her enthusiasm and professional bravery radiated across the company, providing inspiration to everyone who worked with her. Importantly, Annabel’s inherent sense of what was ‘right’ always, always came first. She was so driven by our mission to improve healthcare in the areas that needed it most and encapsulated the values of our company totally. It was a privilege to work alongside her. I will miss her terribly.

We are so blessed to have worked with Annabel for almost a decade. We will ensure that Annabel’s legacy lives on in everything that we do and that we find the right ways to celebrate her life. Most of all we send love and strength to Philippe and Annabel’s family and friends as they face life without her.

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I remember Annabel so fondly at Ipswich where we first met in Year 5. She and I studied pretty much the same set of subjects, both hoping to pursue a career in the sciences. She was extremely driven and high-achieving and I felt I really benefitted just from trying to keep up with her in class. In the Upper Sixth she and I were Head Girl and Boy in the last year that we were based down in the old Sixth Form centre. We had a slightly different approach to executing our duties for these roles, in that Annabel was extremely organised and I was not. I know I drove her crazy at times but ultimately she gently pushed me so that I hope we both made a success of the role. We spent many evenings together at various school events and it was great to get to know Annabel outside of the classroom. She was popular and seemed to be able to do multiple things at the same time, including sailing through all our classes with top marks, being in plays, debating, playing fives to a high level and singing in Chapel Choir. Memorable stage performances included Nina in Chekov’s The Seagull, and Ariel in The Tempest. 

It was always impressive how Annabel managed to combine being exceptional at science with achievement in the arts. I see from an article submitted to the Occasional in 2006, she wrote "Once I leave school I hope to study Natural Science (biological) at University... I would then like to work in scientific research, and hopefully continue to act and paint.” She achieved her aim, going on to undertake a PhD at Cambridge and then embarking on an impressive, though tragically short scientific career. 

Annabel undoubtedly made a significant mark on the world, and her warmth, dedication and wide-ranging skills have had a lasting impact on those of us lucky enough to have known her at school.

Freddie Vonberg (OI 1998-07)