A FORMER head teacher from Cumnock passed away earlier this month after a long battle with cancer.

Marilyn ‘Lyn’ Ross died peacefully on May 10 aged 68, surrounded by her close family at her home in Barrhill Road, Cumnock. This was only possible due to the level of care and devotion given to her by her loving husband Eric, the district nurses and local authority care team.

The eldest daughter of John and Myra Cleland, Lyn lived in Cumnock all of her life and was a big part of the community. Having graduated as a teacher at 20, she worked at Netherthird Primary for 20 years and at Castle Primary, New Cumnock as headmistress for over a decade, before being forced to retire in the mid-2000s due to problems with a rare form of cancer that would later take her life.

Her brother John Cleland told how Lyn gave her all to the schools she worked at and how she always strived for the betterment of her pupils.

John said: “We were all so proud of what she achieved in her lifetime. Lyn had a lot of interests at Netherthird, contributing a considerable amount of time and creativity to the Burns Suppers, shows and concerts that were always happening at the school. One example was a project called the Biggest book in the World, which featured on Blue Peter.

“Lyn also took the netball team which reached 2nd in the Scottish Finals at Dundee. One of many achievements for such a small school, which reflected the quality of the staff and volunteers Lyn worked beside.

“Lyn was able to continue that type of work in addition to the headmistress role at Castle Primary, where she did a tremendous amount of fundraising with staff and great involvement from the community.

“She wanted pupils not to have to pay for trips and treats. The fundraising was designed to pay for that amongst other things, such as a unique garden project set up between the school and local residents.

Lyn was also a big support to husband, Eric, a local councillor for 30 years. They lived on Barhill Road, where they would host frequent family gatherings.

“We were a close family and always in contact. We had some great get togethers, mostly at their house. There were a lot of good Easters with some amazing Easter Egg hunts in their big garden.

“Lyn loved getting all the family together. She was a fantastic aunt to her nieces and nephews and when they were young, she and Eric took them on holiday every year.”

Lyn was known as a fun person to be around, with a good sense of humour. John said that down the years ex-pupils of Lyn’s would say to him that “she was firm but fair, she had a sharp sense of humour and they all said it was fun to learn with her.”

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