Tributes to former primary school teacher, Patricia Molyneux

Patricia Molyneux, who taught at St Begh's in Whitehaven, died peacefully on January 6, in Glasgow.

The eldest of four children (along with Margaret, John and Peter), her father, Patrick, was a public health inspector and her mother, Elizabeth (or Bessie) ran the bakery and shop at Main Street, Cleator.

Attending St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School in Cleator, Patricia passed the 11-plus to gain entry to Whitehaven Grammar School. She later secured a teaching training place at Crewe and Alsager College of Higher Education.

St Mary's School in 1950s - Patricia is seventh from the left front row (Image: Submitted)

Her first teaching post was in Liverpool, where she met her future husband, Tony Molyneux. After a short time teaching, Patricia undertook a pioneering trip to Kibirichia in Kenya in 1970 and 1971 to teach there.

Following her time in Kenya, Patricia returned to the UK, giving birth to the first of three children in 1973. Further children followed in 1977 and 1979. 

Her father passed away in 1974, and she returned to the family bakery and shop in Cleator to support her mother, taking a break from teaching to raise her children and later running the post office in Cleator from 1982.

Patricia returned to teaching and secured a post at St Begh's, Whitehaven, in 1987. A popular and inspirational teacher with colleagues and pupils alike, she became one of the school's senior teachers, playing a pivotal role in mentoring new teachers, before retiring in 2007.

Current headteacher of St Begh's School in Whitehaven, Catherine Mallard, said: "Pat was a super cool, kind, funny and very clever lady. She was a most talented and inspiring teacher for her pupils and colleagues alike, and the best company. I was very privileged to work with her."

Shortly after retiring, Patricia was diagnosed with cancer and received treatment at Manchester's Christie hospital throughout 2008.

Patricia recognised the need for cancer peer support, so she helped to establish the Copeland Cancer Support Group with Chris Woods, June Williams, and others. 

The shock of a cancer diagnosis was tinged with joy a few months later when Patricia celebrated her first grandchild being born.

Tragedy struck again in 2009 when Patricia was flooded at her home in Cleator.

Having battled cancer and the hardship of the floods, Patricia was chosen to be an Olympic torchbearer in 2012. She also volunteered for Age Concern at the De Lucy Centre in Egremont.

Following her third grandchild's birth, Patricia made the bold decision to move from her beloved Cumbrian home to Glasgow to play an active role as a grandmother. In her final seven years in Scotland, she loved being the doting 'Granny Pat' to Edwyn and Ivor.

Patricia’s cancer returned in 2021, and although treatable was not curable. She spent her final weeks in the care of The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow.

Her daughter Jane Walker said: "Mum died peacefully in her sleep. The Hospice staff did an exceptional job of helping to care for her.

"In her final hours, we all came together as a family and filled her room with love and laughter to let her know how special she was to us all. We will miss her immeasurably, and many others will share our grief."

Patricia is survived by her three children, Nick, Jane and Jon; grandchildren, Matthew, Holly, Edwyn and Ivor; and her sister Margaret and brother John.

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