OBITUARY
Edna Smith
1917 – 2009

Edna Smith, who will be remembered as Head Teacher of Linden Infants' School, died on 3rd April, aged nearly 92.

Edna was born in Thornton Heath in Surrey and at the outbreak of war in 1939 she volunteered to nurse with the British Red Cross. Many years later, she wrote a fascinating series of articles about her experiences during the war, which were published in the Nursing Times. When the war ended, Edna trained as a teacher under the fast training scheme introduced by the government at the time and became a very successful primary school teacher.

After she retired, she found more time to follow her many interests, which included membership of Evington Garden Club, travel and music; she was a keen patron of the Philharmonia Orchestra on its many visits to Leicester. Edna was also an active participant in The University of the Third Age and the National Adult Schools Organisation, sometimes leading group discussions. She was an avid writer, contributing articles for The Evington Echo and The Autistic Society. Her articles for the Autistic Society were written as a result of her attending a sabbatical year at Scraptoft College on Special Needs Education and the Migraine Trust. She helped start ‘The Thursday Group', a discussion group that continues to flourish over twenty years later. She was a keen supporter of the Leicester charity, Rainbows Children. The writing that gave her most pleasure was her account of the Italian prisoners of war who were billeted in Leicester on the site now occupied by the Arboretum. Many will remember the excellent exhibition she set up for the annual Evington Fete.

Edna will be remember as a lady of quiet Christian faith who freely gave of her friendship, always ready to help anyone in need. She enjoyed the company of her many friends and will be sorely missed by us all.