Few people have been as immersed in the William & Mary story as Louise Lambert Kale HON ’09. The longtime guardian of William & Mary’s historic campus, and someone who literally grew up on W&M’s campus and then led efforts to preserve it, passed away with family by her side March 26 after an extended illness.

“With a piercing intellect and wicked sense of humor, Louise Lambert Kale was formidable,” said President Emeritus W. Taylor Reveley III HON ’18, LL.D. ’18. “Her knowledge of William & Mary, and love for it, had no limit. Her care for its historic precincts — the Wren, Brafferton and President’s House — was the stuff of legend. Her support for Helen and me when we lived in the President’s House was unstinting.  Louise was a beloved friend of ours, just as she was of so many others. How greatly we miss her.”

Born in 1948 to J. Wilfred Lambert ’27 and Anne Nenzel Lambert ’35, Louise grew up in university housing in Pollard Park, just off Jamestown Road. Her father served William & Mary for nearly 50 years in roles ranging from professor to dean of students. Her mother was a longtime volunteer and leader in various capacities for the university. After graduating from Sweet Briar College, Louise returned to Williamsburg and soon began working for the university herself.

Louise’s time on staff at William & Mary began in the fine arts department managing the university’s art collection. This led her to become an integral member of the team at the Muscarelle Museum of Art when it was established in 1983, serving as the inaugural registrar and ultimately building manager.

“She was my mentor who helped me understand the privilege and responsibility for stewarding museum collections, and her love for William & Mary was infectious,” said Melissa Parris, deputy director of the Muscarelle. “Louise’s imprint is all over the museum in numerous ways including the standards, procedures and policies that she instituted — all of which are still in place today.”

By 1995, Louise found her home in the Sir Christopher Wren Building, serving as executive director of the Historic Campus. In total, she served under five university presidents and came to be known as the “Keeper of the Flame” of William & Mary history.

“Louise Kale was a William & Mary treasure,” said President Emeritus Timothy J. Sullivan ‘66. “Born in Williamsburg to a prominent Willam & Mary family, she understood in her bones the College culture. Her great work was to protect for the next generation the character and memory of the Historic Campus. She was truly the keeper of the flame. Louise was whip smart, her wit irrepressible, her sense of humor rollicking and her integrity impregnable. Her death leaves all of us who loved her sadly diminished.”

Louise retired in 2014, having worked nearly 40 years for the university — 20 years of which were spent overseeing the Historic Campus. She directed multiple archaeological digs that have added to deeper understanding of university history. She managed the 1999-2001 “Wrenewal Project” that brought necessary updates to the Wren. She created the Spotswood Society, which has enabled hundreds of students to volunteer as tour guides and as ambassadors for the university. And you could always spot her car on campus with the license plate “WREN” frequently parked nearby for late nights or weekends.

Caring for the Historic Campus was a responsibility Louise took very seriously. Her domain was known as “The Department of Louise,” something she said with both a twinkle in her eye and a determination in her voice. This drive for excellence benefited many, including countless couples who relied on Louise for guidance in planning their Wren Chapel weddings. She also brought her sharp eye to bear on various works of scholarship, including proofreading the extensive two-volume history of the university.

Louise treasured the relationships she developed on campus, especially with the students she nurtured through the Spotswood Society. By investing time, energy and training in students, she didn’t just enable them to tell the W&M story to countless visitors from around the world, she also helped prepare students for their careers and next steps.

Countless people — alumni, students, faculty, staff and myriad visitors —benefited from the investments Kale made on campus. While describing what it was like to walk into the Wren Building every day for work, Louise once said, “Am I not the luckiest girl in the world?”

It turns out, W&M was pretty lucky to have Louise, and the university has shown its appreciation throughout the years. Various funds were created in her name to support the Historic Campus, the Wren and the Muscarelle. President Sullivan and his wife, Anne, honored Louise by helping fund and create the Anderson-Kale Garden, found on the north side of the Wren Building. Not only was her work recognized through the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership society, the Sullivan Award and the Alumni Association’s Faculty/Staff Service Award, Louise was also named an honorary alumna in 2009.

“Louise’s was a life well-lived and dedicated to William & Mary,” said Matthew T. Lambert ’99, senior vice president of university advancement and Louise’s nephew. “She grew up playing in the Sunken Garden and completed her career ensuring the Wren Building and Historic Campus were preserved for a fourth century of service. She was the glue for our family in keeping us connected to our beloved William & Mary. We will miss the joy she brought to every occasion. The legendary Department of Louise will always be remembered at the Alma Mater of the Nation.”

Louise Lambert Kale is survived by her daughter, Anne-Evan Kale Williams (Jeremiah), and grandson, Franklin.

There will be a reception in celebration of her life in the Wren Building’s Great Hall on Saturday, April 5 from 1 to 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to support William & Mary through a gift to the Louise Lambert Kale Historic Campus Research Fund (3880). Checks should be made payable to the William & Mary Foundation and mailed to Gift Administration, P.O. Box 1693, Boone, Iowa 50950-0693. Please note the designation and that the gift is made in memory of Louise Lambert Kale. Payments may also be made by Venmo, PayPal or credit card here.