Tributes to teacher who inspired success
Shock at sudden death of maths head, 46
AHUSBAND has paid tribute to a much-loved school teacher following her sudden death, at the age of 46.
Mum-of-two Kathryn Dobson, who lived in Waterfoot and was head of Maths at Woodhey High School, passed away on Sunday, August 16.
Her devastated husband of 20 years Peter said she had been ill for a short time, but her death came ‘out of the blue’ and is still unexplained.
Kathryn, who had been a popular and wellrespected figure at the Ramsbottom school for more than a decade, also leaves daughters Megan, 17, and Ellie, 15, who both attend Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School.
Peter, himself a former teacher at Woodhey, the former Fearns High School and Canon Slade school in Bolton, said: “She had been ill, but we thought it was nothing particularly serious.
“I was going to take my youngest daughter out, as she was meeting some friends in the park.
“I asked Kathryn if she wanted something to eat or something picking up. Unfortunately that’s when I realised that she was neither breathing or moving, or anything else. She had been talking to my youngest daughter ten minutes before.”
Kathryn, who was sister to Cheryl and Toni, and Peter lived next door to Kathryn’s parents Anne and Phillip on Burnley Road East, and the family are still reeling from her death.
Peter added: “We weren’t expecting it, I think everybody is in shock. My daughters are finding it a very unpleasant experience and are going through the full range of emotions of teenagers.
“I’ve had so many cards from staff and previous pupils, flowers and all sort of things. People have said what an inspirational teacher she was. Not just for the pupils, but other members of staff. She was always really supportive.”
Peter said his wife had earned a reputation as something of a ‘disciplinarian’ among students, but that by the time they had left school she had won them over, and helped to deliver big improvements to the department.
“When she moved from her previous school in Bolton I think everybody presumed it would be an internal candidate, but the headmaster said we have got to have you in, he said.
“They ended up with the best results in the Bury area - year on year they were increasing. They were like a beacon school and other schools were liaising with her. That’s the way she was.
“A lot of previous pupils have said when they first met her she was quite old-school disciplinarian. People were very intimidated by her and her reputation went before her.
“By the time they got results in Year 11 the pupils who would perhaps be difficult for other people, were flocking around her. They realised she was quite passionate about their success rather than just it being reflected on her.”
Peter said his wife had a “very dry” sense of humour and they loved to go to comedy shows together, as well as eating out and taking camping trips together. She was also a huge music fan.
He added that Kathryn had progressed in her career after throwing herself into her work, particularly following family tragedy when her first daughter Chloe was fullterm stillborn in December 2001.
“That was her way of trying to forget about it but it affected her for the rest of her life,” Peter said.
“We have still got Chloe’s ashes which we are going to put in the coffin.”
The family are welcoming donations in Kathryn’s memory to stillbirth and neonatal death charity S.A.N.D.S.
The funeral service and committal will take place on Tuesday, September 1 at Burnley Crematorium at 3.15pm.
See obituary below.