Tributes have been paid to a former deputy headmistress at Lairthwaite and Keswick Schools who has died, aged 91.
Nancy May Lyttleton Chew was regarded by former pupils as being “firm but fair” while Sean Crawford, former headteacher at Lairthwaite School in the 1970s, described her as an invaluable and supportive colleague.
Mr Crawford, who lives in Threlkeld, said: “Nancy’s relationship with both staff and pupils at this 11-16 day and boarding school was good, managing with both firmness yet with an understanding of the individual issues involved.”
She was head of the history department and the library and Mr Crawford said that her standards were set high whether in preparation, delivery or attitude.
Miss Chew was born in Shipley and was forever proud of her Yorkshire roots as reflected in the music to be played at her funeral at St John’s Church, Keswick, at noon on Tuesday, November 7.
She had previously taught in Pateley Bridge and came to the north Lakes in 1964 where she lived at The Shelf in Braithwaite with her parents.
Miss Chew quickly immersed herself into the local community and became a member of the Keswick and Braithwaite Tennis Club; she also enjoyed playing badminton.
Stamps were one of her passions; she was a keen member of Keswick Philatelic Society and a member of Keswick Flower Club. She was a volunteer at the local branch of Oxfam for more than 30 years.
She was extremely well-travelled, having visited central Asia, China, New Zealand, South Africa, the USA and Canada as well as having travelled extensively in Europe. She accompanied many parties of children on educational cruises and school trips.
Miss Chew later moved to Wordsworth Street, Keswick, and has lived there since. In March 2022, she sustained a compound fracture of her leg and became wheelchair bound. The injury aggravated vascular problems and she died at home on October 18.
Mr Crawford added: “Nancy was an outstanding schoolteacher and an individual who will be remembered with deep affection by those who knew her.”
