Marianne Henry, who spent most of her adult life in the Eden Valley she loved and was an inspirational teacher at two county schools, has died at the age of 65.
One of the four children of Trish and Gerry Flack, Marianne was born in London and grew up in Wye, Kent. She had a sister, Caroline, and two brothers, Johnny and William.
As a youngster she developed a love of creative activity, including making clothes for herself, friends and children, reading, vegetarian cookery, the arts and music.
She also drew inspiration from the beautiful countryside in Kent. She enjoyed hop, fruit and vegetable picking and also developed a love for adventure through travels around Europe with her friends and family.
Marianne came from Kent to Cumbria in 1978 with her husband Richard Henry. She immediately embraced the county’s dramatic fellside scenery and loved family life with her three children who arrived soon after the move — Emily, Eddie and Verity.
Marianne forged strong relationships in the community in Melmerby and brought travelling theatre companies and world music to the village hall, as well as working at the popular village bakery. While raising her young children she did jobs including rushing chairs, delivering bread and working for the Probation Service.
Marianne was part of the organic movement and had a deep passion for organic gardening and creative vegetarian cooking. She created beautiful gardens at every home she lived in, understanding the influence of seasons and climate and loving the beauty of nature.
While living in Cumbria she participated in open garden gadabouts to raise money for community projects. More recently, after moving to Norfolk, Marianne embarked on a landscape gardening course — the first time she had put theory behind her practice.
During the Yugoslavian conflict of the mid-1990s when the Eden Valley welcomed numerous Bosnian families, Marianne formed close friendships with several who came to the area.
Her compassion, hospitality and open heart connected her with all those she met. As Marianne’s children grew, she took an English degree at Lancaster university and went on to complete her PGCE in secondary English teaching.
When she began teaching she drew from her rich and varied life experiences and uncanny ability to connect and make relationships with people from all walks of life. English literature, media studies and English language were all part of her teaching portfolio. She worked at William Howard School, Brampton, and then Penrith’s Ullswater Community College.
She was a much loved colleague and teacher who inspired young people and gave them confidence by believing in them and passing on her passion for the arts and literature.
Some of her favourite moments in teaching were when she broke down barriers and made the arts accessible to all young people. Marianne took pride in her students’ excellent results and loved being part of their journey into independence and further education.
She took groups of students on an exchange to Tanzania in 2006 and 2007. She forged special friendships with teachers there and embraced hosting them on their return visit to Cumbria. These friendships and family connections have continued.
Marianne’s lust for life and positive spirit led to many adventures. Walking the fells by moonlit and swimming in rock pools, lakes and waterfalls on the Pennines were some of her favourite activities.
After leaving Melmerby she went on to live at Unthank and then Culgaith. Six years ago Marianne met her new partner Gerry and subsequently moved to live with him at Wymondham, Norfolk. She continued to work in schools in that area and developed a love of teaching design technology.
She embraced her new community and was instrumental in bringing its members together during lockdown. She loved the big Norfolk skies and the new coastline and scenery, as well as the warmer climate.
However, she continued to enjoy visiting Cumbria to be with family and enjoy the outdoors with Gerry.
Marianne was incredibly proud of her three children and the diverse career paths they choose — Emily nursing, in Kendal; Eddie social work, based in Bristol; and Verity acting, in Manchester. Many themes which tie her children together are drawn from Marianne — family values, sense of community, ability to forge strong relationships and, most of all, the importance of enjoying life.
She was also proud of her six grandchildren — Beatrice, Florence, Sylvie, Maya, Cassius and Rudy. She loved to share their passions and was a consistent positive force in their lives.
Her family say her love for and influence on them will continue and she will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew her.
