Popular Fence woman and school worker dies aged 52

Anne Standring, of Pancakes Farm, died in Pendleside Hospice on October 5th after a long illness, 10 days before her 53rd birthday.

Born in the village, she had attended St Anne’s CE Primary School and Edge End High School, Nelson, and worked in local schools.

She helped out at dinner times at Higham CE Primary School before moving to Lomeshaye Primary School, Nelson, where she taught young children to read.

For the last 13 years, she had worked in administration at Marsden CP School, Nelson, where headteacher Gemma Whaling said: “Everyone at school - staff, parents and pupils - has been deeply saddened by the death of Mrs Standring. It was especially difficult to tell the older children as they had known her for so long.

“We have even had students now at high school calling in to pay their respects and add to the collection in Mrs Standring’s memory.

“Mrs Standring had worked at Marsden Primary School for over 13 years as a member of the administration team, working with hundreds of families in her time with us.

“We have been overwhelmed by the phone calls, donations and messages of support from members of the community and other agencies that school works with.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs Standring’s family in this sad time of their loss.”

One parent wrote: “Mrs Standring was a very lovely lady. Wherever we saw her, whether it was in school or out of school, she would always say hello. She will be missed deeply by our family.”

Mrs Standring is survived by her parents, Alf and Joan, and sons Stuart, Luke and John. Her husband, Danny, died some time ago.