THE death of a 28-year-old teacher who fought an 18-month battle with cancer has been described as ‘shocking and cruel’ by her family.

Frances Conner had been receiving treatment for leukaemia after being forced to leave Ribblesdale High School in Clitheroe in 2014 when she was diagnosed.

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She has been described as a ‘born teacher’ with a sense of adventure, strong determination and a joy to be around.

Mum Nicola said her daughter’s death was a ‘devastating blow’ for the family, while her aunt Kate James said she was the ‘bravest person she knew’.

Ribblesdale High School headteacher Stephen Cox also paid tribute to Ms Conner saying she made a ‘lasting impression’ at the school.

Ms Conner kept a journal during her treatment and her brave family have released excerpts to the Lancashire Telegraph to give an insight into her continued sense of humour, even during her darkest hours.

Born and brought up in County Down, Northern Ireland, Ms Conner came to England to study French and Spanish at Manchester University before completing her teacher training at Homerton College at Cambridge University.

Nicola said: “Her death came as a huge shock to everyone in the family as we thought that she was getting better but she had a relapse over Christmas.

“It’s a devastating blow for us all and such a horrible thing to happen to such a young person.

“She always wanted to be a teacher from when she was a child. It was the only thing that she wanted to do.

“She was always wanting to learn new languages and experience new things.

“She loved the north of England from her time in Manchester and she wanted to get a job back there when she finished at Cambridge.”

During her studies, she appeared on University Challenge and helped her team progress to the quarter-finals.

She taught in Peru and France before taking up her full-time position in Clitheroe while renting a flat in Market Place. In her spare time she became a leader of the Brownie pack at St Mary Magdalene’s Church in the town.

Speaking at her funeral, aunt Kate James said: “The shock and cruelty of Frances’ death will take a long time to sink in, but the sense of adventure and discovery she experienced in her all too short life, will be what must comfort us.

“The outpouring of love and support her family have received has sustained us all, and there has been space to talk, laugh and share memories.

“Watching her grow and take on the world has been a joy, and one of the greatest privileges of my life. She was an independent and inspiring woman, a vocal and passionate supporter of the NHS, feminism, and Andy Murray.

“Frances was her daddy’s ‘brown-eyed girl’, the daughter of proud parents, beloved sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, teacher, leader, friend, colleague and teammate; a fierce competitor, and the bravest person I knew.”

She leaves father George and sisters Rachel and Harriet.

In a letter to parents, headteacher Mr Cox said: “She was a terrifically conscientious teacher who always saw the best in all pupils.

“She worked closely with buddy readers and oversaw pupils being ‘language leaders’.

“She was dearly thought of by all of us at school, especially by those colleagues who worked most closely with her.

“In her spare time, she was a brownie leader and this was indicative of her commitment to working with young people.

“Frances was only in her late 20s but even in a short time made a lasting impression at Ribblesdale."

“I am sure you will join us in keeping Miss Conner and her family in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”