Pat Guttridge

Patricia Heather Guttridge, 73, a well-known teacher and enthusiastic member of several societies in Royal Wootton Bassett, was remembered by a large congregation at a thanksgiving service in the Methodist Church where she had worshipped for many years and was a senior steward, a member of the prayer support group and the Friendship Group. The service in church, to celebrate her life, followed cremation at Kingsdown.

Pat, who had taught at the town secondary school and at St Bartholomew's Primary School, was a caring, understanding mentor for her pupils. The Rev David Perkins said: "So many lives were better because of Pat."

Pat, 73, was born on Christmas Eve, 1943, at Waltham Abbey, Essex, where she and her sister spent a happy childhood. Pat specialised in maths, and was trained as a teacher at Homerton College, Cambridge. She and John, a fellow teacher, who were colleagues at a school in Nottingham, were married in 1969. They settled and worked in Wootton Bassett, and were active in the Methodist Church.

Pat sang with the town Choral Society, acted with the Clarendon Players and enjoyed membership of a needlework group. She loved spending time with friends and family, and liked to read detective novels.

Pat was devoted to her husband John, their daughter Clare and five grandchildren – Mason, Charlie, Poppy, Archie and Freddie. She died at Prospect Hospice on September 23, after a short illness, and is sorely missed.

In addition to some lovely hymns, the farewell service included time for reflection as the congregation listened to the song Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran.

Everyone was welcomed to enjoy refreshments and more reminiscences at the Hillside Hall afterwards. Memorial donations, for The Prospect Hospice, may be sent c/o Masln Funeral Service, 118a High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 7AU.