EREWASH MAYOR’S AWARD WINNER A community publication for Ilkeston and surrounding area
MAY 2018 ilkestonlife.com
Tributes to a much loved teacher and church worker S
tion with Chaucer schools, taking Assemblies where she was known for her captivating Bible stories. She was also noted for her ability to remember pupils’ names years later. Darren Parr wrote on Facebook: “So sad. I knew her all through my childhood as I was at Dorothy Haywood was known to hundreds of Chaucer and was amazed a few years ago local families through her life-long involvewhen she called me by my first name, and I’m ment with Chaucer Nursery, Infant school and nearly 50.” Junior school, also her church work at St An- Chaucer school staff Christine Wojtania and drews. Angela Crawford told us: “Dorothy trained at Even after retiring, she continued her associa- Waverley College, Nottingham as a Nursery
ocial media has been flooded with tributes to a well-known Ilkeston teacher and church worker who has died. Words such as lovely lady, legend, gentle, kind and caring were often used.
Nurse and worked at the former Chaucer Infant and Junior School. She then worked at the newly built Chaucer Infant and Nursery School which opened in 1975, up to her retirement at 60. “She will be fondly remembered by many colleagues, pupils and their families for her honesty of opinion, wit, kindness and continued jollity throughout her life. “Even after retiring she still supported our school by continuing her fantastic renditions of Bible stories once a month in Assembly. She will be missed but never forgotten.” Mid Derbyshire Methodist Circuit minister Rev. Stephen Pratt: said: “On Saturday morning I popped my head round the door of the prayer room at St Andrew’s, the room in which Dorothy would lead her friends in Bible study every Saturday. The room was full. All had come to remember Dorothy and to comfort one another following the sad news of her passing. Her loss has come as a shock to so many of her friends at Ilkeston Methodist Church and she will be sorely missed. All will miss her energy and encouragement, her commitment and devotion that she has given through the years: to her church, where she has contributed so much; to the friends that she has so richly encouraged and to her Lord. We are left with the question: ‘Who will keep us in order as only Dorothy could?’ and as she leaves us, we are comforted in the knowledge that she is embraced in the loving arms of our Father in heaven.” St Andrews Ladies Group leader Marina Charlton told us the group had held a ‘memories meeting’ where a number of Dorothy’s favourites songs were listened to or sung, including I’ll go in the Strength of the Lord, words which she lived by. Dorothy’s niece Dianne Raynor said: “My aunt was an Ilkeston legend who will be sadly missed. She made a real difference in lots of children’s lives, mine included, as I too attended Chaucer and St Andrews Sunday school.
Dorothy Haywood
Photo: John Shelton
“Dorothy had been unwell over Easter and was admitted to Derby Royal Hospital on Tuesday 3rd April 2018. Her illness was short but very aggressive and she died at 11.55pm on Wednesday 11th April 2018, peacefully and with no pain – she will be sadly missed by all who knew her. “Dorothy’s family would like to express their thanks to all those that have posted comments on Facebook, phoned and sent condolence cards. “Due to the circumstances of Dorothy’s death the coroner has been involved but has now confirmed that the funeral can be arranged. The committal at Bramcote Crematorium will take place on Friday 4th May at 11am, to be followed by a service of Thanksgiving at St Andrews at 11.45am.”