Oldbury Academy pupils say final farewell to school nurse
Hundreds of pupils lined the streets outside their school in the Black Country to bid a fond farewell to a much-loved nurse.
Oldbury Academy's medical officer Sandra Parsley, who had worked at the school for 20 years, died five weeks after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Pupils and staff at the Pound Road school bowed their heads as a hearse drove past the school on its way to Sandwell Valley Crematorium.
Her grand-daughter Stephanie Green, 24, said: "She absolutely loved working at the school.
"She would spend more time there than at home.
"She nurtured every child she came into contact with during the time in education, even if this was giving them a humbug that she had in her pocket."
To pupils, Mrs Parsley, of Reservoir Road, Oldbury, she was affectionately known as Auntie Big, and children who had long left the school continued to visit her because she was so highly regarded.
Mrs Parsley, who was married to Anthony, was a mother of two, grandmother of three and great-grandmother of two. She died on Tuesday of last week at the age of 67.
Oldbury Academy headteacher John Martin said: "Sandra Parsley was a wonderful school nurse who faithfully served the school for nearly 20 years.
"She was a caring individual and was popular amongst our pupils.
"Our hearts and sympathies go out to her family and friends at this immensely difficult time."
