A FORMER headteacher who had a ‘passion’ to help disadvantaged children reach their potential has died aged 68.

Retired Roman Road Primary School head Elizabeth Fisher, known as Liz, lost her battle with pancreatic cancer just weeks after she was diagnosed with the condition.

Liz’s family have paid tribute to her and have described her as a ‘nice’,’kind’ and ‘gentle’ woman who ‘always helped anyone she could.’ Liz, who lived in the Beardwood area of Blackburn, worked at Roman Road Primary School for more than 25 years.

Her highlights included meeting the then Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2000 after the Blackburn school was named among the most improved in the country.

Her son Adam and daughter Danielle Haydock said friends, former colleagues and anyone who had been knew their mum were welcome to attend her funeral service in St Silas Church, Preston New Road, Blackburn, tomorrow (Friday, April 13) at 1pm.

Adam, 41, from Blackburn, a civil engineer and divisional director of Jacobs, said: “She just had this affinity with children who didn’t have the best chances in life. That was her passion.

“She had no desire to work in an easy school, that was no challenge for her.

“Everybody says she was a lovely woman. She put other people before herself .

“Mum would listen to people, she was an emotional sounding board for pupils and teachers.

“She was nice, kind and gentle, a very good people person.

“She always helped me and would help anyone she could. She was a calming influence.”

Blackburn Rovers supporter Liz, attended Notre Dame Grammar School, Blackburn, where she became inspired to become a teacher.

She moved to London in the 1960s to study at the University of London Institute of Education and at the Rachel McMillan College.

After finishing her degree, which specialised in nursery and infant education, she moved to Liverpool in the 1970s where she taught in a Jewish school.

Liz returned to Blackburn in the 1970s. She began teaching in Lammack Primary School, then Longshaw Primary School and by the mid 70s she began working as a teacher in Roman Road Primary School. She became the school’s deputy head in the 1980s before taking the headship for around a decade.

Gladys Rhodes-White, director of children’s services and education at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We wish to pass our condolences to Liz’s family after hearing the sad news that she has passed away.

“Liz was a hard working and dedicated teacher who cared deeply about children and young people and their education."

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