POPULAR teacher Jane Stevens, who taught at schools throughout Wiltshire, has died at the age of 79.

Having started her teaching career in Swindon, Mrs Stevens will be fondly remembered by former pupils at Regis Primary School and St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, in Corsham.

Mrs Stevens became a popular supply teacher at many small village schools in North Wiltshire.

Many children will remember her purple teddy bear, Purples, which she took to every supply lesson she taught.

“He would read stories and I remember when she taught me, children who were good were able to cuddle him," remembers her granddaughter, Krystina Hilliard, 26.

“We would work hard to do that. She was a very popular supply teacher because she was very patient and caring and wanted to get the best out of people.”

Born on July 10, 1936, Mrs Stevens married twice, latterly to Dave, and leaves two children, Becky and Tim, two grandchildren, Krystina and James, and two great-grandchildren, Teddy and Harry.

Away from teaching, Mrs Stevens was a member of the Pound Arts Centre in Corsham where she ran a poetry society.

Never having learnt to drive she also enjoyed using her bus pass to travel around the county, and further afield.

“I don’t think there are many bus routes in Wiltshire she has not done,” Mrs Hilliard added.

“We went a lot when I was a teenager, especially Wells, in Somerset, she just loved it.

“She went to the market there and I remember her taking me round the cathedral. We just had some great times there and I can’t wait to go back, it’s so full of memories.”

“I also remember playing at her house, I spent a lot of time there as a teenager. We were there all the time.

“I loved baking and, even though she didn’t like it, she wanted to teach me and I used to make an absolute mess in her kitchen.”

Mrs Stevens died at the Royal United Hospital in Bath after suffering a hernia.

She will be buried at the Westmill Woodland Burial Ground, near Shrivenham, on January 8 at 10am.

Anyone with fond memories of Jane Stevens who wishes to share them with the family can contact Midcounties Co-operative Funeral Service, 439 Cricklade Road Swindon, SN2 1AQ on (01793) 534759.