TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular teacher who helped hundreds of children to sing and dance.

Christine Maloney died peacefully at home with family on December 22.

The 82-year-old was the beloved wife of Patrick for 59 years, much-loved mother of Catherine and Helen, mother-in-law to Stephen and Richard, dear and devoted grandma to Jennie, Sophie, Sam and Caroline and treasured cousin to Frances.

Christine, who lived all her life in Rishton, is remembered fondly by many in the town for her kind and friendly character.

She attended Heathfield RC Primary School and Notre Dame RC Grammar School where she was head girl. She then trained as a schoolteacher and worked at St. Monica’s RC High School, St Charles RC Primary School, Rishton and St Anthony’s RC Primary School, Shadsworth, where she completed 25 years of service.

Christine retrained as an early years teacher in 1989, successfully designing the new building and establishing St Anthony’s RC Nursery, which her granddaughter Sophie attended.

As a child Christine became an accomplished pianist and often competed at Blackburn Music Festivals.

She continued her love of music throughout her teaching career and into her retirement.

She taught many children to play the piano and inspired hundreds of children to love music and sing.

During her retirement she continued her love of music by joining the U3A choir and playing the piano for Rishton Methodist Playgroup every Monday until she became unwell.

Christine continued to play the piano during her long stay at Clitheroe Community Hospital, delighting both staff and patients, and playing at home until a week before her death.

Christine loved nature and gardening and was an active member of local country and Scottish dancing groups and was a much sought-after dance caller.

The family would like the thank all the medical teams involved in Christine’s care over the last five months. Royal Blackburn ENT and Oncology departments, Burnley General Breast Care Team, Clitheroe Community Hospital, the Primary Care Team at Weavers Practice, Complex Care Professionals and Hospice at Home.

Her funeral will be held at St Mary’s RC Church, Osbaldeston, on January 14 at 11am with a burial to follow in the churchyard.

If anyone would like to make a donation, the family kindly ask to send any donations in memory of Christine to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust Charity whose staff cared for her so wonderfully these last few months

If you want to find out more about the funeral then contact Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington, tel: 01254 233133