Page 50 - The Old Ratcliffian 2012

T The Old Ratclifan 2012 | Introductionhe Old Ratclifan 2012 | Obituaries Mrs Carol Gerighty whom many owe grateful thanks for special friend and a committed tennis their excellent GCSE and A Level partner: “Carol’s laughter filled any 1966–2012 results. One of the things I appreciated room that she was in, the life and the most was Carol’s unconditional soul of any gathering, and her social Teacher, Ratcliffe College support and readiness to embrace diary was always full. Her diagnosis initiatives and challenges. I knew that was all the more cruel for the fact that if ever I asked Carol to do anything, she was renowned for her boundless she would say yes, because she cared energy and vibrancy. Her many and passionately about developing the varied interests also included playing Department and the students. Carol netball and skiing, and her penchant always went the extra mile, both for white wine spritzers and a ‘little’ in and out of the classroom, never gin and tonic each evening was the letting her part-time status deter her subject of much gentle teasing by from organising and accompanying her friends. Carol didn’t suffer fools numerous trips and visits to France gladly, and was known for her plain- and Spain. When not in the speaking, but she was a great listener classroom, Carol could be found on and a valued friend to many, many the playing fields, umpiring home and people. For Carol, her family would away netball matches on Saturdays, always come first, and her Catholic inspiring all with her boundless faith was also very important to her; energy and team spirit. Carol was before she became ill, she volunteered a fantastic ambassador of Ratcliffe, as a helper for Lourdes. Her raucous always a major presence on Open late nights with Mrs Jackie Bennett, Mornings, where her loyalty and Mr Nick Walsh and the priests, on belief in the College really shone one particular trip, have now passed through to prospective parents and into legend! In Carol’s final year at pupils. Unsurprisingly for someone so Ratcliffe, it was an indication of the dedicated and committed, Carol was esteem in which she was held by appointed a full-time member of staff her colleagues that she was able to It was with profound sadness that I and promoted to Head of Personal, motivate thirty-eight colleagues and wrote to all members of the Ratcliffe Social, Health and Citizenship friends to rise to the challenge of the Community with the news that Mrs Education, a role which she carried Hinkley Half Marathon, when many Carol Gerighty died peacefully in her out with the calm efficiency that was of them couldn’t run for a bus before sleep in the early hours of Thursday typical of everything that she did. I they started their training! (Of course, 18th October. As many of you know, know that I speak on behalf of the rest some of them still can’t!) Many more this was not unexpected, as Carol had of the Languages Department when I also participated in our Swimathon in been suffering for over two years from say how much we all miss Carol: as the School pool, to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease. a teacher she was conscientious and MNDA, and it will no doubt be Carol’s hard-working and enjoyed the trust legacy that we continue to hold this Mrs Gerighty, or Madame Gerighty as and respect of all whom she taught. charity in our hearts.” she was known to several generations As a colleague, Carol was utterly of Ratcliffians, taught at Ratcliffe dependable, serious about getting the As another very dear friend and College for ten years. She was a job done, but always with a glad heart colleague, Mrs Karen Burton, said: much-loved and well-respected and a ready smile that never failed to “To have Carol’s funeral on All Saints’ teacher of languages, a sports coach lift the atmosphere.” Day seemed most appropriate, as and latterly Head of Personal, Social, Carol most definitely lived her life Health and Citizenship Education. Carol did not embark upon teaching as a saint. Her immense devotion as her first career. She went into to her faith was truly inspiring and Her Head of Department, Mrs industry after university, gaining she established for me the important Sui Cushing, recalls Carol as a the organisational skills which so aspects of life: faith, hope, charity consummate professional: “During impressed her colleagues. She had and love. She never complained her many years of devoted service, joined Ratcliffe shortly after relocating about her worsening condition and characterised by a 100% attendance to Leicestershire from the West was always delighted when she had record, unfailingly good humour Country because of her husband friends and family around her. She and pragmatic approach, Carol was Mike’s job. She was appointed to the still enjoyed being out and about; a valued and respected professional. Languages Department in a job-share congratulating us at the end of the Her fluency in French and Spanish in September 2001, together with Hinckley Half Marathon back in May made her a highly flexible member Mrs Jan Dorn, the two colleagues when over twenty Ratcliffe teachers of the Department, where she taught having met by chance when both ran for our team of ‘Carol’s Runners’ both languages across the age and had started on a temporary contract to raise money for LOROS, and again ability ranges from Years 6 to 13. at Humphrey Perkins High School supporting the McMillian Coffee Carol’s warmth, patience and ability two terms previously. Jan has many Morning at the end of the September to motivate even the most reluctant happy memories of time spent with even when her condition was rapidly learners firmly established her as a this lady who was to become a very worsening – what utter courage. I well-liked and popular teacher, to 50 50