To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.
Obituary
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Beatrice Howard, who was born on 26 June 1966 and passed away on 27 August 2026 at her home in London.
Bea grew up in suburban Connecticut, together with her three siblings who were close in age. She attended school in the regional school district of Orange, CT. Bea had a comfortable upbringing and spent many hot summers by the pool in her best friend’s backyard. Holidays with the family were usually spent at the National Seashore at Cape Code, where she returned whenever possible continuing a family tradition. Bea spent two formative years at the Putney School in Vermont, a progressive boarding school in a rural environment, where she became a life-long vegetarian. She went on to university in 1984 at the liberal arts Trinity College in Hartford, CT, where her father was a professor of physics. The courses set her up for a career in biological sciences, which she pursued in the PhD program at Yale University where she worked on the developmental biology of cell wall formation in the thale cress, Arabidopsis. She graduated in 1996, which was also the year she moved to London with her future husband.
She got married in the same year and took a position at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) where she was a key member of the Breast Cancer Now Toby Robinson Centre since its foundation, initially as postdoc, and then building her own research team to study the molecular processes of embryonic breast development and the similarities with cell differentiation in breast cancer. She had good success with her research and inspired many young scientists around her (www.linkedin.com/posts/the-institute-of-cancer-research_beatrice-howard-celebrating-a-remarkable-activity-7463249820606943232-Mdc8). Bea also became an unlikely fashion icon in her efforts to fund raise for the ICR https://vimeo.com/260679542?fl=pl&fe=sh. She gradually had to step back from her leading position but joined the newly established Endocrinology team at the Centre, where she played a key role in advancing their work.
Bea and her husband lived many happy years together in London, with frequent short and long visits from family and friends abroad. They first lived in an old Victorian house in Bayswater, then moved to a modern riverside development in Battersea, before settling in Clapham Common where they have lived for the past 15 years. Sadly, Bea’s life was greatly affected by breast cancer, ironically the focus of her research. She was first diagnosed in 1997 and had to undergo surgery and long-term hormone treatment, then had a recurrence some ten years later, and finally was diagnosed with metastatic disease almost four years ago. Bea fought a hard battle, in particular once she was completely bed-ridden during the past nine months. Her remarkable resilience was probably due to her health-focused lifestyle, and particularly her yoga. She practiced Ashtanga and progressed to the 4th Series to the point where it was difficult to find qualified teachers in London.
Bea’s ambition and resilience have inspired many people. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and colleagues.
Gallery
Memory wall
Holding Alfried and all Bea’s friends and family in my thoughts. Rest well Bea.
www.icr.ac.uk/about-us/icr-news/detail/the-institute-of-cancer-research-remembers-dr-beatrice-howard
To Alfried, at this sad moment, I do hope you stay strong as we are always standing together with you.
May she Rest In Peace x
May Bea’s memory always be a blessing
Your students, colleagues and postdocs, past and present, wish to convey their sincerest condolences at this sad time. From what we know of Bea, she was truly an inspirational female role model to all scientists, dedicated to her research and an amazing human being. We feel your loss and are here to support you in any way we can. To you and Bea's family and friends, we wish you fortitude for the times ahead, filled with only happy memories of Bea.
Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the cherished memories you shared and strength in the support of those around you.
With heartfelt condolences,
The Staff of the Natural History Museum & Research Centre, MZU
Service
We will come together to remember and pay tribute to Bea who was a catholic. We hold a non-denominational funeral service at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Wandsworth. Everyone is warmly welcome, regardless of faith or religious background.
After the church service all are invited to a reception at Bea's home at Clapham Common Northside for refreshments (vegetarian), to share memories and celebrate her life. Your presence would mean a great deal to the family.
96 North Side Wandsworth Common, London SW18 2QU
(Please note, the flat is on the 4th floor walk-up)
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