Stuart McDonald
Matthew Edwards
Louis RossouwWe were devastated to hear of Adele Groyer’s death.
Adele was already well known to many actuaries both in Gen Re and more widely from her contribution to the CMI, but became one of our most prominent collaborators during the pandemic.
She was the author or co-author of several bulletins and blogs on specific topics as well as almost all the Friday Reports we published in 2021 and 2022.
Something that won’t be known by many outside the group is that Adele was a key part of the Friday Report production process. She was generally drafting one of the sections in most editions, but also co-ordinating production with the various other authors – a task requiring accuracy, speed, good writing skills, the ability to occasionally provide some gentle encouragement, and an appreciation for what was important at any given time. And of course a healthy sense of humour, which kept the team going even as she herself was struggling with her health.
Adele played a key role in explaining our work to the public. She was quoted in the press, appeared on BBC More or Less and gave generously of her time on social media, particularly on Twitter where her informative, calm and empathetic commentary was valued by many. She continued this right up until a few days before she died, despite knowing she had little time left.
It’s been heartening to see the outpouring of affection for Adele, with comments from friends and colleagues alongside others from people she had not met but to whose lives she had made a difference. You can view some of the social media comments below.
Adele Natalie Groyer was born in 1979, qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries in 2005, and died on 2 Feb 2024. Our thoughts are with her family, including her husband Howard and son Max.
It is with sadness that I, @lrossouw, have to let you know that Adele passed away from cancer late on Friday. I've known Adele for many years since she was working in Cape Town, to when she moved to Gen Re in London in 2008 and later when she joined my team at Gen Re.
— Adele Groyer (@AdeleGroyer) February 4, 2024
Katja Grasic
Natalie Tikhonovsky
