A much-loved headteacher who was at the heart of Patterdale Primary School for 20 years has died aged 58.
Liz Stewart, of Skelton, was born in Sheffield where she lived until the age of six before her late parents, Colin and Barbara Crawford, who were both GPs, moved to Prestbury in Cheshire for 18 months.
When Liz was seven years old, her mother and father set up a GP practice together in Poole, Dorset. She has two sisters, Alison and Susan, and a brother, Michael.
After leaving school, Liz went to train as a teacher in London, where she met her future husband, Tony, in 1982.
On leaving college, the pair were married and lived in London, where Liz taught in Croydon for two years.
They then moved to Dorset where Liz had two teaching jobs as a class teacher before becoming a deputy headteacher. Following four years as headteacher of St James’ Church of England First School, in Alderholt, a move was made up to Patterdale in 2001 when Liz became head of the village primary school.
Liz and Tony have three children — Freddie and Kate, who were both born in Poole and then went to Penrith Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, and Martha, who was born eight months after the couple moved to Patterdale.
Liz, who was a big part of the Patterdale community, was headteacher from September, 2001, before retiring prematurely in October, 2021, due to her cancer diagnosis.
When she first arrived at the school two decades ago, the number of pupils on roll was in the low 20s and it was up to about 40 before she left, but the number did fluctuate.
Tony said: “She loved teaching. She didn’t like the administrative part of the job very much. That is why she moved to a small school because when she was the head of a bigger school in Dorset, she missed the teaching. She missed having her own class.”
Outside of school, Liz had a real passion for gardening and, along with Tony, was an active member of the Christadelphians, a non-conformist church which has a base in Kendal.
“I think I can describe her in one word, which has come across from everybody — love. It was her philosophy. She was so full of love and full of life. She was happy,” said Tony.
Nicola Reay, acting headteacher of Patterdale School, who worked with Liz for two decades, said: “She led the school with such love and dedication for 20 years and has been an inspiration to many. She was a wonderful lady.
“Words cannot express how much she will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tony, Katie, Freddie, Martha and family.”
Morris Rodham, chairman of governors at Patterdale, said: “She was hardworking, loving and loved, professionally dedicated, and will be remembered in this dale for a long time to come for her outstanding contribution to the education of children in our parish and beyond for so long.”
After making the decision to stop receiving chemotherapy treatment, Liz received hospice care at home. She died in her sleep with her family around her.
The funeral was held at Skelton village hall, followed by burial at Penrith Cemetery’s woodland burial site. Richardsons Funeral Directors, Penrith, had charge of the arrangements.
