Maulds Meaburn and the surrounding area lost a resident who contributed much to community life with the death of Marilyn Ann Cooke OBE, aged 81.
She had a great many friends in the area — and elsewhere — and was particularly known for her ability to connect with and care for children from the village.
Marilyn died peacefully at Eden Valley Hospice, Carlisle, after collapsing suddenly at her home at Ridgeway, Maulds Meaburn.
She was born in Whitechapel, London, being the middle of three girls brought up by an entrepreneurial and independently-minded single mother.
After excelling at school, the young Marilyn Linsell, as she then was, completed her teacher training at Goldsmiths College, London, and, at the age of 22, married Geoff Cooke.
The couple travelled and taught in Lusaka, Zambia, before returning to England, where Marilyn’s teaching and leadership talents were quickly noticed. Her career progressed at a rapid pace and she was a headteacher by the age of 30.
She completed an Open University degree and advanced to become one of Her Majesty’s schools’ inspectors for primary education, having a specialist interest in mathematics. She was described by Elizabeth Passmore OBE, the former director of Ofsted, as being a “brilliant inspector with an amazing reputation”. She said people were always glad if they learned that Marilyn was on their team as she was known to be firm but fair.
Marilyn was pivotal in producing the report on “Lessons Learned from Special Measures” (Ofsted 1999), which became essential reading for all new teachers. It was this work which ultimately resulted in her being awarded an OBE.
Being a schools inspector provided Marilyn with the opportunity to travel and she worked across northern England, including in Cumbria. She first came to Maulds Meaburn at weekends while she was based at Bury and then moved to the Eden village after retiring from HMI.
Marilyn’s life was full of people and dogs. She loved her dogs — and everyone else’s — and was invariably to be seen with at least two black labradors, until she finally chose to keep cockapoos.
Marilyn formed many strong friendships and maintained those she had made during all periods of her life. She was a favoured aunt with an irreverent attitude and single-minded determination who became an inspiration to many. She was outgoing and known for her generosity.
For many people, her home had an open door and was a safe haven in times of trouble.
Marilyn was practical and maintained the skills she had acquired during her HMI days — listening and trying to give sensible suggestions. She was very keen for all visitors to help with any crossword conundrums that were frustrating her until the following morning’s paper was delivered.
She was a keen gardener, loved spending time walking in the outdoors and meeting friends for lunch. She contributed to village life, being active on organisations ranging from Crosby Ravensworth show committee to Maulds Meaburn village institute, and put in a spell as a school governor at Crosby Ravensworth.
However, it was for helping children that Marilyn will be especially remembered.
They would at some point generally gravitate to her home and she had a knack for connecting with and caring for these young people, treating them with respect and enjoying having fun with them.
The saying “It takes a whole village to raise a child” was originally a Nigerian proverb, but for a few lucky generations of children in Maulds Meaburn, Marilyn was a critical component of their upbringing and future. She will be greatly missed.
