Hundred attend funeral of Isleworth teacher

A MUCH-LOVED special needs teacher who helped hundreds of Isleworth children has died.

Joan Bruce, 85, of Amhurst Gardens in Isleworth, died on October 20 after battling three bouts of cancer over a number of years.

Mrs Bruce, née Joan Rumney, was well known and loved in the area, where she was involved in the Mulberry Centre, which provides cancer support, as well as teaching at a number of schools.

Described as 'a lovely lady who was always smiling', Mrs Bruce was born in Hackney and moved to Isleworth when her father started work at the Pyrene and Gillette factory in the Great West Road.

Mrs Bruce worked there herself during the war, and was injured after being blasted with glass when a V2 rocket attack destroyed the neighbouring Packard factory.

Mrs Bruce trained as a teacher at Maria Grey College, in St Margarets, and worked at Spring Grove Primary and Worple Road Primary before joining Syon School for Boys, where she was appointed head of first year, helping children with learning difficulties.

She also played a key role in the merger of Syon and Isleworth Grammar School, which became Isleworth and Syon School in 1979.

Her partner of 30 years, Ken Stone, said: "She loved children and was such a fantastic teacher. She used to have grown men come running up to hug her in the street, who remembered her from when they were kids."

Mr Stone, 80, who worked as a technology teacher at The Green School, joined Mrs Bruce in her passion for Isleworth and helping others.

Both were members of the Isleworth Society, guides and scouts groups, West Middlesex Hospital support groups and the Mulberry Centre.

Mrs Bruce continued to help special needs pupils from her home right up to the age of 77.

Mr Stone added: "She was such a lovely lady, whose presence helped many to a future full of hope and pleasure. Her ready smile will be remembered by so many."

More than 120 people crammed into South West Middlesex Crematorium on November 12 to pay their respects to Mrs Bruce, who leaves daughter Joanne, son Jonathan and two grandchildren.