FAMILY members and former pupils have hailed a popular long-serving reception teacher in Oswaldtwistle who has died as ‘perfect for her role’.

Carole Cope, who taught at West End Primary School in Aspen Lane for 28 years, died from an acute heart failure aged 67.

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She left a great impact on many of her former pupils and Mrs Cope’s husband of 45 years, Roy, has said she will be missed by her family.

The 68-year-old said: “We were inseparable together, she was my soul mate. She was just a loving and caring person.

“Everyone has just said she is a lovely lady. We’ve had more than a hundred cards for her.

“She wouldn’t be able to go shopping without being stopped all the time by former pupils.

“She missed being a teacher when she retired, but family came first for her.

“I just absolutely adored her, we all did.”

Mrs Cope had a son, Robin, 40, and a daughter, Joy, 37, and they also had a 12-year-old granddaughter called Charlotte who was ‘the apple of her eye’.

She lived in Accrington for almost her entire life and was taught at St Mary’s in Woodnook and St Christopher’s Secondary Modern School.

She then attended Padgate College of Education in Warrington in 1967, where she met her future husband.

Mr Cope was also a teacher for more than 40 years himself and he taught at St Bartholomew’s CE Primary School in Great Harwood.

Headteacher at West End Primary School, James McBride, said that Mrs Cope was an ‘incredible’ servant to the school.

Mr McBride said: “She was very popular with both children and staff and she was here long enough that she taught children of some of her former pupils.

“Pupils, ex-pupils, parents and staff all have very fond memories of her her.”

Jonathan Slater, 48, who was taught by Mrs Cope at the school, said: “She was just perfect for that role.

“She just loved children. She went on to teach two of my children.

“You wouldn’t be able to find anyone who would have a bad word to say about her.

Mrs Cope also taught at Holy Trinity Primary School in Darwen for around four years and at Peel Park Primary School.

Her funeral will take place at St James’ Church in Cannon Street, Accrington, at 1pm tomorrow.