Tributes paid after death of ex-headteacher
“She was always very committed to the children she taught”
TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘generous’ East Lancashire primary school teacher who has died at the age of 100.
For her entire professional life, Anne Egan was a teacher at St Anne’s and St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Accrington, helping generations of youngsters on their way through schoolbooks.
This eventually led to Anne becoming headteacher of the infant school until her retirement.
After retiring from teaching, Anne spent her years travelling to France and Ireland visiting friends and relatives, with her father born and raised in County Mayo.
Anne moved to Accrington at around the age of 20 after being born in Padiham.
She was educated at Notre Dame Grammar School in Blackburn before studying to become a teacher in the Fenham suburb of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Pauline O’Connor, Anne’s niece, said: “She was always very committed to the children she taught.
“She loved them and was a very generous person to her friends and family.”
In Accrington, she lived in her family home in Burnley Road with her late sister Margaret.
In 2014, she was moved into Springhill Care Home where last year she celebrated her 100th birthday on September 13, 2019.
Staff and residents gathered to celebrate the occasion, with Pauline hosting an afternoon tea for her in the care home.
“It was really nice, the staff at the care home are very nice,” Pauline said.
“It was low key but she enjoyed it.”
Anne did not marry and had no children but leaves behind a loving extended family.
She passed away on June 9 with a private family funeral taking place on Friday, June 19.
St Joseph’s and St Anne’s Church in Accrington is planning a wider memorial Mass to celebrate her life once coronavirus restrictions allow it.
Donations in Anne’s name can be sent to Hyndburn Funeral Services which will be given to the church.