Teacher dies days after cancer found (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Teacher dies days after cancer found

2:39pm Thursday 18th January 2007

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MOVING tributes have been pouring in for schoolteacher Trudy Burbidge, who died months before her wedding day.

Miss Burbidge, 34, lived in Wootton Bassett and taught at Gorse Hill Infants School, Swindon.

In December, on the last day of term, she began to feel unwell and died at Great Western Hospital six days later, unaware until then she had terminal cancer.

Gorse Hill headteacher Sue Kershaw said a memory wall had been created, where children and parents could leave poems and tributes.

"She was loved by everybody, because she was a fantastic person and wonderful teacher," she said.

"The family have been amazing.

"The children have been fantastic. I have the little ones come up to me and say I miss Miss Burbidge'.

"They are just wonderful kids, and that is what she made them.

"People who haven't even got children in her class were hit by it as well, because she had a smile for everyone.

"She was an outstanding teacher, as recognised in our Ofsted two months ago.

"It was down to her that the school was one of the first to receive the BECTA (British Educational Communications and Technology agency) ICT award.

"We will miss all the laughter and her quick wit, sense of humour and her vivacious, sparkly personality.

"The messages we have received from numerous people since her death has shown how much she was loved."

Miss Burbidge's elder brother Robert Yeo and fiancée Stephen Harvey, who she was due to marry in June, spoke of their love for her at the funeral service in St Bartholomew's Church, Wootton Bassett.

The service began with Elton John's Can You Feel The Love Tonight, which was to have been played at their wedding.

Mr Harvey, who met Miss Burbidge through an Internet dating service, said: "We knew each other for 511,070 minutes.

"We parted knowing how much we meant to each other, and with no regrets."

Mr Yeo said his sister was a fun-loving, modest, caring and gentle person.

"The Trudy that is has sadly left us, but the Trudy that was will live on forever in our hearts and minds," he said.

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