Tributes for former Burnley teacher and deputy head who was a mentor and guiding light to generations of pupils

Tributes have been paid to Mrs Sheila Clay, a dedicated and well known former teacher, who has died at the age of 82.

Mrs Sheila Clay spent 17 years teaching English at the former St Hilda's RC High School for Girls in Burnley.

Head of pastoral staff, Mrs Clay was appointed deputy head at the school in 1989 and was acting headteacher for several months before her retirement in 1992. Mrs Clay left teaching to pursue her interest in the links between education and the business world continuing to help pupils into the world of work through the Education Business Partnership.

Mrs Clay was a firm believer that education was not all about academia and children needed encouragment at whatever skill they were good at.

Mrs Sheila Clay, who has died at the age of of 82, with Brian, her childhood sweetheart and husband of 59 years.

Although she had a reputation for being strict and would not stand any nonsense, many former students credit Mrs Clay with being the best teacher they ever had who was always fair and encouraged them to work hard.

A former student, who later became a friend, described Mrs Clay as someone who had left a remarkable legacy for a couple of generations and also someone who was 'vivacious, full of life and always interested in people.'

Born in Barrowford, Mrs Clay attended the former Nelson Grammar School where she met her future husband Brian at the age of 15. She completed teacher training at Coventry Girls' College, now Warwick University, while Brian, who went to Leeds University, also became a teacher and spent many years teaching Maths at the former St Theodore's RC High School for Boys in Burnley.

The couple married in 1961 at St Peter and St Paul's Church in Barrowford and Mrs Clay's first teaching post was at the former St Joseph's Primary School in Nelson which was burned down just months into her job. Mrs Clay then went on to teach at Cottingley Manor School in Bingley.

Mrs Clay continued to teach at primary level part-time while bringing up the couple's three children, Elisabeth, David and Richard. This included a spell at Nelson and Colne College before she joined the staff at St Hilda's in 1976.

Retirement saw Mrs Clay busier than ever and she became a leading light with Burnley Soroptimists.

She was asked to take on the role of president of the movement during its Jubilee year in 2003 and she rose to the challenge with the same 100 per cent commitment she gave to everything she did. She was passionate about the work and achievements of the organisation that had helped to give disadvantaged women around the globe a voice.

One of the great achievements of the Soroptimists was its role as one of the initial forces behind the founding of Pendleside Hospice and Mrs Clay was a volunteer at the hospice for several years.

She was also a past president of Burnley Ladies' Speakers' Club, read for the Nelson Talking Newspaper, and carried out fundraising for the NSPCC. She was also a member of Burnley Ladies' Luncheon Club for a number of years.

Mrs Clay had also written books on pastoral care and been a Catholic marriage guidance counsellor for 15 years.

A regular member of Brierfield Bridge Club, Mrs Clay and her husband were keen golfers after they joined Nelson Golf Club together in 2000.

Paying tribute to his wife of 59 years Brian said: "Even after her illness was diagnosed Sheila tried to keep going and be as active as she possibly could."

Mrs Clay's funeral will take place this Friday at Sacred Heart Church in Colne followed by burial at All Saints Catholic Cemetery.

She also leaves grandchildren Laura, Kim, Richard and Lucy and a great grandson Oscar.