Ailsa Knox, the widow of a long-serving Principal of Moore College, Dr Broughton Knox, has died in Sydney.

Mrs Knox, who was 90 this year, passed away just days after suffering a stroke.

Ailsa Knox served with her husband in ministry for more than 45 years, including the 26 years Dr Knox spent as principal of Moore College and later as founding principal of George Whitfield College in South Africa.

Born Ailsa Lane in Sydney, she met her husband at an Inter Varsity Fellowship meeting at Sydney University in 1947. They married in 1950.

They had six children.

Dr Knox died in 1994.

The current Principal, Dr Mark Thompson paid tribute, saying “My first memories of Mrs Knox are of her warm hospitality and generosity, experienced near the end of her time at Moore College. In every contact with her since I have been encouraged by her transparent trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and her unfailing concern for the spread of his gospel in Sydney and around the world.”

“Mrs Knox’s personal faith and her long involvement in Christian ministry alongside her husband Broughton were sources of rich encouragement for the generations that came after her at Moore College and in the Diocese.” Dr Thompson said.

Archbishop Glenn Davies said “My association with Ailsa Knox began when her husband, Broughton, invited me to join the faculty of Moore College 30 years ago.”

Dr Davies described her as ‘a  gracious, hospitable and entirely servant-minded woman of God’.

“Ailsa modelled Christian virtues at so many levels. Her ministry especially among faculty wives and students was a great encouragement and a godly example. I have no doubt that the impact of Broughton Knox upon our Diocese would not have as profound or as significant had he not had the life companion of Ailsa by his side. Precious indeed, in God's sight, is the death of his saints.” the Archbishop said.  

A funeral service will be held at St Pauls Anglican Church, Castle Hill, at 11am, Friday 23rd May 2014.