ALDERMAN LADY (EMILIE WARD) REED, who died in February, 1947, was for nearly forty years actively associated with the Exeter branch, and she found time, in the midst of many other public duties, to give it always her personal and enthusiastic help. She was at one time the honorary secretary of the branch and, at the time of her death, chairman of both the branch and the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. It is very largely to her inspiring work that the branch and the guild in Exeter owe their success.

Lady Reed was awarded the Institution's gold badge, given only for distinguished honorary work, in 1930, and in 1935 was appointed an honorary life-governor, the highest honour which the Institution can give to an honorary worker.