A RETIRED Pendle teacher described as ‘wonderful and devoted’ has died after a short battle with lung cancer.

Liz Jackson, who had been promoted to head of English at Park High School, Colne, shortly before retirement in 2002, was diagnosed with the illness in February.

The grandmother-of-one of Dotcliffe Road, Kelbrook, would have been 66 today.

Mrs Jackson, who had worked at the school for 30 years, had been to the doctors after struggling to shake off what she believed to be a chest infection.

After tests at Airedale General Hospital she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

She was treated at Airedale and St James’s Hospital in Leeds before returning home to be with her family a fortnight ago.

She died surrounded by her family on April 11.

Her husband Mike said: “Liz was a wonderful devoted mo-ther and an adoring grand-mother. She had a very caring nature.

She was never afraid to speak her mind and was strongly affected by the inequality that she could see in the world.

“Since retiring in 2002 she spent the majority of her time, reading and enjoying being with her grandson.

She also really enjoyed meeting with retired staff from Park High School in what they called the ‘dinosaurs club’. We would like to thank the fantastic staff at Pendleside Hospice and the community nurses.”

Born in York, Liz moved to Pendle in 1970, living originally in Nelson.

Before Park High, she worked at Primet High in Colne teaching English and drama.

She had volunteered at Nelson and Colne College teaching English to adults as a second language.

Colleague Denise Somerfield, drama teacher at Park High, said: “Liz was always very up-to-date and well informed about educational changes and was fantastically well-read.

"She played for local quiz teams as her general knowledge was immense.

“Apart from maternity leave she rarely had a day off work.”

Liz also leaves daughters Laura and Amy and grandson Lucian. Her funeral is at Skipton Crematorium on April 30 at 12.20pm.

The family have requested flowers only and donations to be given to Pendleside Hospice.