My wife, Denise Ruston, who has died aged 77, was an inspirational primary school headteacher.
She was born in Sunderland to Miriam (nee Howe) and Jack Newton, a mathematics teacher. In 1943 the family moved to Tetbury, Gloucestershire, to avoid German bombing attacks during the second world war. Jack was appointed deputy head of Tetbury grammar school, which Denise attended. Academically gifted, she was also an accomplished musician, playing the organ at St Mary’s Church, Tetbury. While at school, she represented Gloucestershire at hockey, and was an organ scholar at the cathedarl while studying to be a teacher at Salisbury Training College.
Denise began teaching at Tetbury junior school in 1957. We met two years later and were married in 1960. The following year we moved to the new town of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, and Denise helped to establish a new nursery school there.
After working in a variety of schools, Denise was eventually appointed headteacher of Aldbury Church of England primary school. It had been run down but was soon transformed into a thriving establishment which inspectors described as outstanding.
Denise was a devoted mother to our three children, Phil, Ben and Louise. In addition, she was a brilliant artist, working mostly in watercolour; she also spent a great deal of time on her other passion, gardening. Her cottage gardens were full of scented flowers and shrubs and she liked to grow rhubarb, which she often made into wine. Her kitchen was always full of demijohns containing rhubarb wine, alongside elderflower and nettle too.
Denise was an ardent supporter of Derby County and held a season ticket for more than 40 years. She likened the highs and lows of being a fan to the fluctuations of her final illness, Alzheimer’s, which she endured with a dignified strength and fortitude.
Denise is survived by me, our children, her sister, Miriam, and by her grandchildren Beth, Alfie, George and Scarlett
