Moving moment for brave teacher's plaque

Andrew Gibson • Published 23 Feb 2010 16:07

A MEMORIAL plaque dedicated to a brave drama teacher - who continued to take classes while battling leukaemia - has been gifted to her parents.

The plaque had pride of place in a hallway at Bonhill Primary, where Elaine McGeachie - who passed away in 1996 - held her classes to take advantage of the space.

But as the school prepares for its move to a new building it was felt the plaque, which fittingly declares: "The show must go on", was so tied to the old school that it should now be passed on to Elaine's parents.

Former Bonhill head teacher and god-mother to Elaine, Elizabeth Chirrey, was given care of the plaque on Friday and will now take it to Elaine's mum and dad, Wilma and Colin Liddell.

Elaine, who passed away at the age of 37, was told by doctors when she was diagnosed that she would probably only survive for two years, but she bravely battled it for an amazing 11 years.

Elizabeth said: "Throughout her illness she continued to teach. When she died in October 1996 our staff were devastated and as a little tribute they wanted to mark that she had been there and they had this little plaque made and put it on the wall.

"The plaque is quite personal to that building it is not something that is transferrable.

"She was a superb teacher and had she not taken that illness I think she would have gone far.

"She could bring the best out of children, she was very firm and clear but empathised with them and they loved her."

Elaine's father Colin, 73, originally from the Vale but who now lives in Inverness, is delighted the school has generously handed over the plaque.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 23 Feb 10

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