Service in memory of devoted Halesowen teacher Gwen Lewis

Gwen Lewis spent almost 40 years in the classroom at the former Halesowen Secondary Modern School for Girls, which later became Windsor High School.

She died in August last year, aged 88. Her friend Margaret Thomas has organised a service to allow former pupils to pay tribute to Miss Lewis, who had never married.

Mrs Thomas, a lay minister at St John the Baptist Church in Halesowen, said Miss Lewis had devoted her life to the girls she taught.

She said: "She threw herself into her girls' lives. Even though she never had children of her own, she had hundreds of girls pass through those classroom doors."

Miss Lewis, who lived for many years in Quarry Lane, Halesowen, began her teaching life at the then Halesowen Secondary Modern School for Girls in her early 20s and stayed until she retired in 1988, aged 60. She was also involved with Girl Guides, as well as running a youth club.

Mrs Thomas said Miss Lewis, had been "somewhat of a recluse" in the later years of her life but was still attached to the church. Her funeral had to be organised by social service because of a lack of nearby family. Mrs Thomas, 65, said: "We were worried there might not be many people there but there wasn't even standing room."

Former pupil Val Hitchman, who was in Miss Lewis's form class before leaving school in 1963, said: "Miss Lewis was a much loved teacher."

The memorial service for Miss Lewis will be at St John the Baptist Church, in Queensway, on Saturday at 2pm. Mrs Thomas has invited people to bring along old photographs of Miss Lewis.

Call 01384 410480.