St Mary’s Church in Marlborough was filled with family members, friends and colleagues of St John’s School teacher Judith Sud, who died on June 12 after a long battle with cancer.

Mrs Sud, who was 62, had dedicated her life to helping those less privileged than herself and took on responsibility for special needs teaching at St John’s.

Delivering her tribute at the funeral last Thursday, colleague Imogen Willgress said that, despite her illness, Mrs Sud was always finding fun, smiling and happy for every last minute of her life.

She was born on July 9, 1950, in Ferryhill, County Durham to Robert and Doreen Walker, the youngest of three children .

She was head girl at Spennymoor Grammar School and gained a first class honours degree in social sciences at the University of Hull, followed by a master’s degree.

She started work as a social worker in Manchester where she met her future husband, Priya Sud, who was training in psychiatry.

Mrs Sud decided on a change of career and took a conversion course for teaching.

The couple moved to Cambridge where Mrs Sud taught English at Netherhall School. They were married in 1978 at Bury St Edmunds where Dr Sud was working.

The couple moved to Marlborough in 1981 where Mrs Sud taught at St Luke’s School (better known locally as The Children’s Hospital) before leaving to raise her own family.

Daughter Anika was born in 1984 and son Anil arrived in 1986. While raising her children, Mrs Sud kept her hand in by teaching dyslexia courses and carrying out home tutoring.

She returned to teaching full-time in 1996 working in the Additional Educational Needs and English departments at St John’s School.

She was described as “a kind, compassionate and caring person as witnessed in her personal, professional and social life”.

One student said: “She was my favourite teacher who helped me when I did not understand and guided me whenever possible.”

An example of her caring nature was when, during a residential trip to the education centre at Pencelli in Wales, she went kayaking with a boy who had behavioural problems. The canoe capsized and the lad clambered out and took off across an adjoining field.

Mrs Sud did not hesitate to hare off after him, assure him that all was well and bring him back calmly and kindly. This was only a few months after she had undergone major surgery.

Mrs Sud was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 but returned to teaching in 2011 before the cancer returned last year.

She lived long enough to see her daughter Anika married earlier this year.