Diana spent all of her teaching career devoted to teaching children with special needs, writes her husband.

These pupils varied from the physically handicapped, to those with various psychological needs, and those who had difficulty with literacy and numeracy.

Her first teaching post was in Reading. First pioneering a special school, where I also taught and shared with her R. Steiner’s educational philosophy, to cater for the child’s physical, mental and spiritual needs. Unfortunately, the spiritual is often over-looked in the modern, comprehensive school.

Diana approached her teaching with this problem in mind and her pupils flourished under her teaching.

After spending her early years at the Reading special school, she was appointed as a special needs teacher in Greenhill Comprehensive School, Tenby.

Her pupils soon responded to her mature teaching methods and a happy progressive class was created.

She made sure that the needs of each individual was catered for, alongside this she always introduced a project suitable for all to co-operate in.

One such project was based on a basic appreciation of the space Apollo Mission. Diana also had a B.Sc. degree and was able to simplify scientific data into the basics, which her pupils could follow.

Through sheer co-incidence, I met an American visitor to my art exhibition in Laugharne. In discussion with this person I was to discover he was a professor of Nuclear Physics working at the Apollo Centre in Florida, USA.

When I mentioned my wife Diana was using the Apollo Mission as her special project for the special needs pupils, he offered to help. A few weeks later a large package of educational matter was sent from Florida, USA direct to Diana’s class room and proved invaluable for the pupils. Mr Gainsbury, was enthralled with this American link with his school and Florida.

On Diana’s retirement, he wrote a personal letter to her congratulating her work with the special needs children and said ‘ Diana had laid a strong foundation for the future of special education to be built on for future generations for special needs pupils’ After leaving school these pupils have been able to take up employment in and around Tenby. About 10 years ago Diana and I were shopping in Kilgetty Co-op store and delighted to meet three of her ex-pupils working there. One was on the cash till and the others stacking shelves.

Another involvement at Greenhill School was her appointment as a volunteer instructor for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for girls. She took over this job from Mrs P Davies. This work involved after school activities, weekends and holiday times. The scheme was divided into three stages: Bronze (basic training) Silver (advanced training) Gold (intensive training)

Fortunately, Diana’s first group were able to achieve three gold awards, amongst these were our daughter Sarah and two sixth form colleagues – Wendy Brown and Kaye Evans. Diana continued this work with future students and many more gold awards were achieved.

Rest In Peace - Diana.