New play area a legacy of popular nursery nurse
SHE was a loving mum-of-three who helped to nurture scores of children at a primary school over 25 years – and now her legacy will live on.
Fatema Anwar, of Fenham, was a nursery nurse at Westgate Hill Primary Academy, in Newcastle, and was loved and respected by staff and children alike.
However, her loved ones were left devastated when she died in October 2020 after a brave battle against liver cancer. She left behind three children – Mehnaaz, 16, Shehnaaz, 14, and Nawaaz, 10.
Following her death, at the age of 47, funds were raised in her memory and now that money has been used to open a new play area at the school. It was officially opened in the presence of family members, children, staff and Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Coun Habib Rahman.
Her brother Monjer Rashid paid tribute to his late sister. He said: “Fatema was a loving mother, daughter, wife, sister, and aunty, and she leaves behind a family that will dearly miss her. She was a very friendly and likeable person, very neighbourly and supportive.
“She was also very generous with her time and money, helping people access benefit and other essential information and advice, and would help with forms and other communications, whilst supporting charities and causes.
“She worked at the school for 25 years, so she knew a lot of the kids from the nursery who are adults now.” Mr Rashid said supporting Fatema’s children was a priority for the family. He added: “The biggest challenge for us is to try and fill those big boots that she’s left behind. We are going to try our best for the kids – the kids are amazing. They are really special, really intelligent. The legacy Fatema has left in the school has helped preserve her memory.”
Fatema was also a youth worker with Newcastle City Council for years and was an active member of her community.
Nick Watson, head of school, said: “The school set up a GoFundMe page to raise money in Fatema’s memory. The school then matchfunded the donations and we managed to raise enough to install the wonderful trim train in our nursery outside area. “Fatema was like a sister to many staff members at Westgate Hill. She had such a big heart and always wore a huge smile wherever she went.”