TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'kind, helpful and compassionate' teaching assistant who has died.

Lynn White was diagnosed with melanoma in October and was in the East Lancashire Hospice in Blackburn when she died on February 17.

The 52-year-old had worked for 27 years at Longshaw School, on Park Lee Road, and had many different roles including teaching assistant, cleaner, and lunchtime supervisor.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Lynn White


School bosses say she was a 'hard working and conscientious member of staff'.

Headteacher Paul Hawthornthwaite said: "Lynn will be missed terribly by her colleagues and by the children for whom she cared.

"She will be remembered as a trusted colleague, an honest friend, and a skilled teacher.

"She was perhaps at her happiest when working with groups of children and individuals who were in need of extra support with their learning or behaviour.

"Lynn never gave up on a child, however many mistakes they may have made or however difficult they were finding their time in school.

"She was patient and compassionate, reassuring every child that they were a valuable member of school.

"Our school will never be the same again without her and we can count ourselves fortunate that we have worked alongside a colleague and friend as true, caring and compassionate as Lynn."

Lancashire Telegraph:

Lynn White with Cameron

 

Mr Hawthornthwaite added that the school has created a book of condolence for the well-respected member of staff.

"She was lovely and had a good sense of humour and people will always remember her for saying she was always freezing and was never far from her coat.

"Unfortunately we cannot get together to share our memories of Lynn so we wanted something for her family to have for the future.

"I am not really surprised by the amount of messages that have been shared so far as it shows how much she was loved and respected."

Lancashire Telegraph:

Lynn White with Joshua

 

Her funeral will take place on Wednesday when it leaves Wareings Funeral Directors on Grimshaw Park at 10.20am and will travel past the school for a short stop before going to the crematorium.

Her partner of 28 years Neil Harvey also paid tribute to the mum-of-one.

He said: "She was a family person and was such a very huge part of our family.

"She was kind and caring to all the people she knew and had time for everybody.

"Her relationship with her daughter and two grandchildren Cameron and Joshua was special.

"She loved being at Longshaw School and being with the children.

Lancashire Telegraph:

A FAMILY PERSON: Lynn with her family

 

"She loved Yankee candles and had a lot of friends on a Facebook group for the candles.

"I did not realise how many people she knew but we have seen it with all the cards and messages of support which shows how she made a difference in people's lives."

Lynn was sister to Sue Duckworth, partner to Neil, mother to Louise and her partner Mark.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Lynn with her daughter

 

If you would like to leave tributes in the book of condolence then please email office@longshawjunior.blackburn.sch.uk or contact the school.