TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known former nursery school headteacher, who has died following a short illness.

Brenda Frame was headteacher of Heathfield Nursery, in Darlington, for 12 years, prior to her retirement in 2000.

The mother-of-three died on Tuesday (September 1), aged 71.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Kevin, along with their grown-up children Jackie, Steve and Mike.

The couple also have nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Originally from Lancashire, the couple moved to Darlington many years ago, because of Mr Frame's work – he was also in education and retired at around the same time as his wife.

Paying tribute to his wife, Mr Frame said: "She loved her job, it meant a lot to her and she was loved by the kids she helped to look after.

"She had gone into teacher training as a mature student, after the youngest of our children started school.

"There was a teacher training college in Darlington, which later became the Arts Centre.

"She was a student there for its last three years before it closed."

After qualifying as a teacher, Mrs Frame first worked at a nursery in Chilton, County Durham, later moving to Skerne Park Nursery, where she spent eight years, before moving to Heathfield in 1988.

The couple both took early retirement in 2000 and spent many years travelling and enjoying time with their family.

Mr Frame added: "We were lucky enough to enjoy a nice, long retirement together and had lots of fantastic holidays; we did everything we fancied doing.

"She doted on all our grandchildren, loved spending time with them."

Asked what would be his most enduring memories of his wife, Mr Frame said: "She was an incredible person, so kind and generous, always had time for everybody and always had a smile on her face.

"The children always came first with her – her own children and those in her charge; her life revolved around them.

"She was always happy and never complained, even throughout her illness."

The family has thanked staff at the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where Mrs Frame spent her final weeks.

Her funeral will be held at St Augustine's Church, in Darlington, at 3pm, on Thursday, September 17.