Respected teacher dies

Honoria Buckwell of Chailey was Born in Reigate, Surrey, in 1911.

She moved to Horsham as a young girl and attended Horsham High School (now Tanbridge House).

Honoria trained at Bishop Otter College, Chichester. Her first teaching post was at Epsom Downs School. She came to Chailey in 1938 to take up a position teaching primary age children at St Peter's C of E School and, in all, served 28 years until retirement.

She met her future husband Albert Buckwell, a Chailey man, at a local dance and they were married in 1940.

Forty-eight years of married life, all lived in Chailey, ended with his death in 1989. Honoria continued to live in Chailey, moving to Grantham Close in 1997 and then when frailty took over to Claydon House in Lewes where she died.

She and Albert had two daughters, Brenda and Linda, who died in 1980.

Honoria, known as Honor to many, was a respected and loved teacher, known for her love of music (she played piano and violin), her ability to encourage the best from her pupils and for making her lessons interesting and happy.

She often recalled her memories of wartime teaching when the pupils were always excited about the movements of Canadian troops camped nearby, and the presents they gave at Christmas.

She served with many headteachers and kept in touch with them and her ex-pupils, many of whom fondly remember her today.

The funeral was held at St Peter's, Chailey, and she was buried with her husband at St Mary's, North Chailey.

She leaves her daughter Brenda, four grandsons and four great grandchildren.