Friends’ farewell to well-loved teacher (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Friends’ farewell to well-loved teacher

11:00am Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

Hundreds of mourners bid farewell to Marlborough teacher Vicky Philpott at St Mary’s Church last Thursday.

Mrs Philpott, who died of cancer aged 48, taught at several schools in the area, including St Mary’s.

Before going to the church, the hearse stopped outside the former Duck’s toy shop in the High Street, which was run by Mrs Philpott’s family.

Family and friends wore bright colours and listened to her husband Ian pay tribute to his “angel”.

He spoke of Mrs Philpott’s love for Marlborough, saying that she was “a local girl through and through”.

She was a swimming teacher and committee member for Marlborough Penguins, chaired the parent teacher associations at St Mary’s and St Peter’s, and sat on the Friends of Savernake committee and the Marlborough Carnival committee, through which she met her husband.

Mr Philpott said her proudest achievements were her two daughters Molly, 10 and Harriet, eight, who lit a candle for their mum that they had decorated in the days before the funeral.

He thanked the congregation for the cards, letters and emails which he said had been a comfort to the family.

The service was conducted by Rev Andrew Studdert-Kennedy, who read tributes from Marlborough children who had known Mrs Philpott that had been put into a special memory box.

As the congregation left the church, Victoria by Ray Davies and The Crouch End Festival Chorus played.

The service was followed by the burial in the town cemetery and a celebration of Mrs Philpott’s life in the town hall.