SHAKESPEARE Primary school has paid tribute to a former teacher at the school who has died at the tragically early age of 40.
Animal lover Hazel Crutchley (pictured right) taught at the Fleetwood school for five years during the 1990s and was popular with staff and pupils alike.
But shortly after leaving Fleetwood she was diagnosed with a non-malignant brain tumour in 20
00.
Complications led to her losing her sight and her short term memory, and finally she had to give up her beloved career in teaching.
Last Sunday evening Hazel finally lost her battle against the illness.
Shakespeare head teacher Susan Bartlett said: “Hazel was a very special lady and a very special teacher.
“She was one of those people who was able to touch children's hearts and minds.
“Hazel loved animals, always giving homes to stray cats and dogs, and she loved a glass of wine and her husband Richard.
“We were very sad to hear about her death and we will be having a special collection among staff to benefit her favourite charities.”
Hazel had been receiving steroid treatment at Milton Keynes Hospital but sadly it was unable to stem the tumour and her condition deteriorated still further.
But during her eight years fighting the condition she never gave up, and for the first four years even managed to continue teaching in Buckinghamshire.
The moving story of Hazel and her fight against the illness is recorded on a special website, doiknowyou.co.uk, where messages can be left for her grief-stricken family.
This site was developed to give information to those close to Hazel, those who know her and come across her, but also to try to pass on the things her family have learnt to those who find themselves similarly affected.
Hazel's funeral will take place at the Crownhill Crematorium in Milton Keynes on Thursday, December 11 at 3.30pm.
