Former Penrith headmistress Sylvia Windle has died months after reaching her 100th birthday.
Miss Windle taught at Tynefield School for almost 20 years and was also a member of Penrith Golf Club for 54 years, a Justice of the Peace and chairman of the Bench at Penrith Magistrates’ Court, WI member, Girlguiding leader and church choir singer throughout her life.
Born at Nelson near Burnley, Lancashire, on 16th December, 1920, Miss Windle was the only child of John and Sarah Windle and her father worked in a local mill.
In December Miss Windle spoke to the Herald as she reached her 100th birthday and was inundated with well-wishers when the article was published through the paper’s website and social media channels.
Educated at the grammar school in Nelson, Miss Windle had gone on study at teaching college.
Her first teaching post was in her hometown where she was a secondary school teacher specialising in history and English.
Her move to Eden came when she was appointed headmistress of the former Tynefield School in Penrith and moved initially to live in Great Salkeld.
Around 23 years ago Miss Windle moved to Penrith’s Carleton Heights and remarkably she stayed living in her home independently until early March this year when she became a resident at Stobars Hall care home, Kirkby Stephen.
Throughout her time at Tynefield School Miss Windle was well respected by staff and pupils alike and previously recalled her time at the school fondly, saying she very much enjoyed her years as headmistress.
In her retirement Miss Windle played at Penrith Golf Club.
She was also an active parishioner at both St Andrew’s Church and Christ Church in Penrith and sang in a church choir.
While a very sociable character she was also very independent and would like to be out and about in Penrith, her friend Gwen Ferguson said.
Alongside the groups she joined, Miss Windle also enjoyed gardening and going on holidays.
Miss Windle died on Tuesday, March 30, and the funeral was held last Wednesday, April 14.
As a lifelong supporter of Eden Animal Rescue, donations in her memory will be split between the charity and also the parish of Penrith through Walkers Funeral Directors, who have care of arrangements.
