Tributes paid to teacher

4:37pm Thursday 23rd November 2006

A former deputy head teacher at Furzehill Middle School in Borehamwood has died of cancer.

Margaret Shafi, 71, was a French teacher at the school from 1971 to 1993.

Ex-head teacher John Holland paid tribute to her this week.

He said: "She had a great sense of humour, but very quiet and very dry.

"She was a very tall lady and somehow her presence gave comfort. She could look down on the children from a great height - there was a bit of fear at the beginning, but as they got to know her they really did have a great regard for her."

Mrs Shafi, who lived with her husband in St Albans, had been suffering with cancer for about 18 months.

Many former pupils of the school, which closed in 2001, will remember her for organising school trips to France.

Mr Holland added: "She was so fond of the kids. So many of the children knew her, she was a lovely lady and I'm sure they will be sad to hear the news, but would want to know."

Mrs Shafi's funeral is due to take place on Wednesday at Harwood Crematorium in Knebworth.