My mother, Pauline Knill, who has died aged 81, lived her life by the motto “service before self”.
She was born in Gourock, in the west of Scotland, to Leonard Rockliffe, a chartered mechanical engineer, and his wife, Isabel (nee Thomas), a teacher. From her hardworking parents Pauline learned, with her sister, Barbara, the values that remained with her throughout her life. The family moved south and Pauline attended Thames Valley grammar school in Twickenham, Middlesex, then Royal Holloway College, University of London, where she gained a BA in modern languages before taking up a teacher training course at Leicester University.
Pauline strongly believed that languages are not just about communication, but also about friendship. She was a dedicated professional who taught French and German in Loughborough, Liverpool, Chatham, in Kent, and then the Charles Dickens school in Broadstairs. She organised many school exchanges to France and Germany. Her final post was as deputy head at the Archbishop’s school, Canterbury.
Her colleagues remember her as an outstanding deputy head who brought great experience and enormous energy to the position.
While doing her teacher training she met Michael Knill and they married in 1958. Their son, Andrew, was born in 1964. Less than two years later came the shock of her life: their daughter, Elizabeth, was born at home, swiftly followed by Richard 10 minutes later. Pauline took having one more child than expected in her stride – and with my arrival she had four under four.
Having struggled to get me into a local brownie pack, Pauline started her own – the 4th St Peter’s – despite being busy with four children and working full-time. She was Brown Owl for more than 25 years.
Pauline was also closely involved in her local church in Broadstairs, helping with its youth clubs, becoming a parochial church council member, as well as chorister and server. Her faith was strong and her commitment to helping others immeasurable.
Retirement came too early for Pauline so she joined the local Citizens Advice Bureau, became a guide at Canterbury Cathedral and a governor at Holy Trinity school, Ramsgate. She joined Inner Wheel, the women’s voluntary service organisation linked to the Rotary Club, and was delighted to become club president and district chairman.
Parkinson’s disease slowed then finally stopped Pauline in her tracks but she retained her dignity, her optimism and her sense of humour. She always had a twinkle in her eye even when she was unable to get her message across.
She is survived by Michael, her children, six grandchildren, and by her sister, Barbara.
