The MRBA is saddened to announce that our long-time supporter, committee member and area case manager Marian Stringer has died at the age of 88 on January 5th 2026.
Marian started her career at MIL IN 1971 and was there until 1978 she then joined, MAS and left in 1988, John Kelly remembers her as a “proper” field manager, concerned both about the quality of the work produced and the wellbeing of her field colleagues. She was very approachable and had the ability to help solve any potential issues to ensure that clients received usable data and what would now be called “insights” A sad loss to the MRS community.
Marian joined SPCR which later became Nat Cen and remained there until her retirement in 1997.
Ian Brace recalls, “I first met Marian when I joined the MRBA committee in 1992. Later, when she became National Cases Manager and I became chair of the charity see we worked together a lot. As with every market research field manager/director she was very business-like on the phone, which would have come from many years spending most of the day on the phone to regional managers and interviewers. And she would always prefer the phone to email. Once, though, you got her talking away from the work in hand she was chatty and funny, a side of her that some people didn’t get as far as seeing to their loss. She did so much for the MRBA during those years and many people were got through their troubles or benefitted in some other way because of her dedication”.
John Samuels, “I remember Marian from the time when I was first recruited to the MRBA Committee. She was a very caring person and ideal for the job, as she was extremely assiduous in all she did. She seemed to have a good understanding of the detail of all the cases she investigated. She supervised her excellent team of Area representatives. She really did want to help all the people who applied and many an applicant will have felt that she made a genuine difference in their lives”.
Her friend Mary Williams says “I first met Marian over 50 years ago through our shared interest in music, Marian played the violin, where we both played in the same orchestras. Over time, we became good friends and enjoyed many holidays together, not to mention the afternoon teas!
My association with the MRBA began when she asked me to assist her with the cases. Although I had no background in Market Research, I found there was a close correlation with my work as a primary school teacher. I met several people who I was pleased to count on as my friends. I will miss Marian; it was so sad to see such a decline but am glad that she is now at rest after such a debilitating illness”.
Delphine Anderson a former area manager, “so sorry to hear Marian has passed away, we were work colleagues for many years first of all at MAS Survey Research and then at Nat Cen. Marian was a fair, kind and considerate boss. One of the memories I have, whilst working at MAS Marian came up with the idea that our yearly Area Managers Conference needed a theme. It was to be held at places that began with the letter B. So off we went to Bournemouth, next year it was Bath followed by Bowness on Windermere. All lovely venues and we were able to explore new places. (and work of course)”.
On her retirement Marian spent 2 years working with Victim Support, a website to support Victim Support in Marian’s name will be going live soon, we will share the link when it is ready.
MRBA sends heartfelt condolences to her family.
The funeral will be held on Wednesday 11th February at 11am at Parndon Crematorium, Harlow.
All welcome but please advise Debbie Whittick at Debbie.whittick@mrba.org.uk if attending.
Linda Henshall