Inspirational Teacher Dies at Age of 52
A copy of an article pulished in the Loughborough Echo on ??/??/??:
TRIBUTES FOR CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL
INSPIRATIONAL TEACHER DIES AT AGE OF 52
A Loughborough teacher, whose inspiration and belief in others touched the lives of so many people, has died suddenly - leaving a whole community in shock.
Schoolchildren, teachers, family, friends and neighbours are mourning the sudden loss of ‘a special lady’, Kathy Jacobs.
She passed away on Saturday, May 14, at Glenfields Hospital after being diagnosed with cancer. She had been a teacher at Holywell Primary School for 13 years and in the words of her own children looked upon the school and her class as an extended family.
Hundreds of sympathy cards and letters tell of Kathy as someone who would encourage and inspire.
She was described as a wonderful teacher and friend who was always cheerful and smiling. In particular she gave special attention to helping pupils who were dyslexic.
Her husband of 30 years Alan, an education officer, said: “All the cards have just confirmed what we already knew.
“She had that gift to give children confidence and adult as well.”
Kathy energetically took on the roles of class teacher, advanced skills teacher and science co-ordinator and she was the only teacher who did dinner duty.
Holywell teacher Barbara Singer said: “Staff at the school are finding it very hard to come to terms with this very sudden loss of such a dedicated lady and friend.
“Filling every minute of her time Kathy expended as much energy in her 52 years as some people do in a life time.”
She was professional in her work with an infectious personality which won her countless friends in school and in Quorn where she and her family lived in Loughborough Road.
‘Always had time’
The family have pledged to start fund-raising in her memory and a celebration of her life is being held at the school on June 10.
One of the children said they hoped there were children in heaven for Mrs Jacobs because she would really miss children to teach.
The youngsters at the school have made scrap books and cards to help them deal with the tragedy.
Her eldest daughter Sarah, 26, remembers how she would always go off to work with the spring in her step. “She would give up her time for sports events and school productions. If anybody needed any help she’d be there.”
“Mum never let us down,” says her son Martin, 24. Jennifer, 21, is the youngest of the family.
Alan added: “She was a fantastic communicator , no matter if they were children or adults - she was agreat listener. She was a women of action. We used to say we’d put batteries in her.
“She loved the people in Quorn, the neighbours around here are devastated. The school has been brilliant, they’ve been a real help.”
Barbara Singer, ateacher at Holywell, remembers Kathy as: “Always seeing the best in every child. The children’s memories and comments bear testimony to her dedication.”
She also leaves behind her sister Sheena.