Pupils poignant tribute to caring teacher

PUPILS have paid a poignant tribute to a much-loved teacher who died earlier this year.
Gayna Eagleton with her husband GavinGayna Eagleton with her husband Gavin
Gayna Eagleton with her husband Gavin

Legh Vale Primary School in Haydock have dug deep to create a special memorial garden for Gayna Eagleton who lost her three-month battle to cancer in February aged 52.

This was marked with a powerful performance by pupils at the primary, watched by her husband Gavin and twin children Jordan and Francesca, 18.

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Gavin, 52, said: Gayna was a devoted wife and mother, she was kind, thoughtful and considerate and always put other people first.

Gayna EagletonGayna Eagleton
Gayna Eagleton

“She has left a huge hole in everyone’s life but if our children and all the children she taught over the years can become half as nice as Gayna was, her legacy will live on.

“She is missed every single day. Gayna was always so happy and just smiled constantly, that’s just the kind of person she was.

“We both loved cruises, Gayna especially loved going to the shows as the theatre was a real passion for her.

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“She was an inspiration to hundreds of children during her working life and combining her love of musicals with teaching, she started a performing arts club at Legh Vale with her great friends and colleagues, Emma Thornley Harris and Clare Martin.”

Memorial garden for teacher Gayna EagletonMemorial garden for teacher Gayna Eagleton
Memorial garden for teacher Gayna Eagleton

Gayna taught at the school for more than 18 years and worked right up until Christmas last year when the illness struck.

Her pupils designed the garden and planted a willow tree in a bid to remember their precious teacher. Gavin also donated the memorial bench which has been placed there.

Headteacher Andy Howard added: “She was a much loved friend, colleague, teacher and is sadly missed by the whole school and community.

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“Gayna was a nurturer and cared deeply about the children in her charge. She had a fabulous sense of humour and nothing flustered her. Gayna was not only a colleague, to many at Legh Vale she also was a very caring and dear friend.

“Caring, patient, calm, gentle and funny are some of the qualities that this special lady possessed. Many young children have passed through Gayna’s caring hands and flourished from being touched by all of her qualities.”

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