Tributes paid to inspirational Cumbrian teacher who died after battle with cancer

Julie Telford, 45, died at the Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle after an eight-month battle with leukaemia.

The bubbly, popular mum-of-three, from Linstock, was deputy headteacher at Thomlinson Junior School in Wigton, where she had taught for 20 years.

In a mark of respect to Mrs Telford, the school was closed on Monday, November 28, to allow staff to attend the funeral of their friend and colleague.

As well as being a well-respected teacher and at the heart of her family, Mrs Telford devoted her time to the local community, helping to organise the Christmas party and village celebrations.

She helped secure funding for a children's play area through her role on the parish council, and was leader of 1st Houghton Girl Guides.

Throughout her illness, the Telford family received hundreds of cards and letters of support from the friends, colleagues, pupils, and neighbours who she had inspired.

Mrs Telford's sister, Rebecca Wilson, told The Cumberland News : "John Atkinson, the headteacher who recruited Julie, wrote to us last week expressing how he had the greatest respect and affection for Julie, describing her as an outstanding teacher who was hardworking, loyal and wonderful with the children, and that she was always committed to the school and its community.

"Julie lived her life to the full and made a difference to the world around her.

"She was a woman who touched the lives of many people, she was generous with her time and with her love and support and she will be sorely missed."

OBITURARY

: Julie Frances Telford passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 19, at the Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle surrounded by her family.

Julie was 45-years-old when she lost the eight-month battle with leukaemia she had bravely faced with the support of the family she so cherished.

A true daughter of Carlisle, Julie was the heartbeat of her family, valued by the community in which she lived and an inspirational figure within local education.

Julie was born on May 28, 1971, to Michael and Kathleen Dodd; she was joined by her twin sister Jacqueline 10 minutes later. Within six years they became a trio when their sister Rebecca was born.

Educated at St Bede’s RC Primary School and Newman Secondary School, Julie excelled with all the cheerfulness and enthusiasm she showed throughout her life.

She loved sport, representing school and county at netball, and Carlisle City Swimming Club. She carried this love of sport into her career becoming an FA certified coach.

Saturday and student jobs were all undertaken with her trademark good humour and commitment: cheese cutter at Littlewoods then variously at M&S, Kangol, Metal Box Company and the Crown pub at Stanwix, where she met her future husband.

Julie studied at Staffordshire University, and then Newman College, Birmingham for her PGCE that led to her career as a teacher. Her natural warmth and outgoing character made her life-long friends during her student years. Her delight in music and dancing once caused a return home with a dislocated knee from an unofficial ‘rave’ on an airfield!

Julie’s first teaching post was in 1996 at Thomlinson Junior School, Wigton. She taught here for 20 years as class teacher and special needs co-ordinator, before becoming deputy headteacher.

Teachers play a huge role in shaping our lives and those of our children, a sentiment that the parents, pupils and the Wigton community would certainly agree about Julie. She was passionate about her teaching and the children in her care, and was loved and respected by all who came in contact with her.

The school was also part of a European project teaching IT skills to unskilled adults and Julie was one of the lead trainers; she successfully completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship, receiving her results just after becoming ill.

She married Richard Telford in 1999 at her family’s church, St Bede’s in Carlisle. Their first daughter, Grace, was born three years later, just before Julie and Richard moved to Linstock on the edge of the city. Two more daughters followed: Frances in 2005; and Emily in 2008.

The family home that she and Richard developed with their three lively and cheerful daughters gave Julie huge pleasure. She was prime mover for her wider family, hosting large Christmas gatherings, organising outings and holidays, and arranging the family’s attendances at events reflecting her musical tastes – Jake Bugg to Status Quo, Martha Reeves to the Stone Roses.

For most of us, such achievements and activities would be enough – a family home and garden, a busy and active family, demanding roles as an inspirational teacher and deputy head, but Julie was a person who embraced everyone and everything.

While living in Linstock, Julie was active in their local community. Julie helped to organise the Christmas party and village celebrations. She joined the parish council, her priority being funding for a children’s play area.

She was leader of 1st Houghton Girl Guides, a duty she tackled with her accustomed enthusiasm and commitment. She organised and led the Guides’ many activities such as week-end trips away and participation in community events like Houghton Farmers’ Market and Church Parade at St. John’s Church.

During her illness, Julie faced the months of intensive treatment with her usual bravery, determination and lack of complaint.

She drew great strength and joy from visits to her bedside at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle by her three daughters; she and her family took comfort from the hundreds of cards and letters of support from friends, neighbours, colleagues, pupils past and present, and their parents expressing appreciation to her for supporting and inspiring their children.

Julie was someone who was unfailingly generous with her love, her support, her time.

On Monday, November 28, Carlisle’s St Bede’s Church was overflowing with those whose lives had been touched by this remarkable woman, joining Julie’s family in celebrating her life and saying good bye.

Julie Telford was never famous, never involved in great national affairs, but her love, her cheerful enthusiasm, and her personal commitment were far more important to her family and the people of the local communities within which she lived and worked.

Mother, daughter, wife, sister, aunt, colleague, neighbour, teacher, friend, Julie Telford will be very sadly missed by so, so many, but never forgotten in their hearts.