TRIBUTES have been made to a former deputy head teacher who will always be known by her friends as the people’s champion.

Jean Thurkettle’s passion for life saw her travel all over the world on a journey that placed people at the heart of it all.

Yesterday afternoon her friends at Growing Older Living in Darlington (GOLD) paid their respects with a minute’s silence.

GOLD’s chairperson Audrey Lax said even when Mrs Thurkettle’s health was failing she still wanted to help others.

She said: “She was determined to be back with us helping where she could. We are going to miss her terribly.”

As well as being a founder member of GOLD, the 85-year-old did work for Darlington Talking Newspaper and was an active member of All Saints and Salutation Church.

The former Hummersknott teacher was a ‘patient’s champion’ at Darlington Memorial Hospital, fighting for services for the vulnerable and was once voted Darlington’s Citizen of the Year which gained her an invite to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

Claire Llewelyn, who worked with Mrs Thurkettle, said she was a voice for those who could not be heard.

She said: “Jean was a wonderful woman. She fought hard for people who were unable to fight for themselves.

“She had loads of fantastic stories to tell and had a way of making you feel at ease.”

Mrs Thurkettle, who died on June 25, leaves a son, John and stepdaughter Helen. A service of thanksgiving will take place at All Saints Church, Blackwell, Darlington, on Friday.

The family have requested no flowers but donations may be given in lieu to Save The Children Fund or The Great North Air Ambulance Service, care of Whitehouse Funeral Service.