FORMER pupils and colleagues have paid tribute to a 'legend' who worked at a school for nearly half a century.

Joan Herdman died on February 4 aged 85 following a year-long battle with breast cancer.

She had worked at Hebden Green School as a cleaner and laundress since the day it opened in September 1974, and had no plans on retiring before she was diagnosed with cancer in January 2023.

Over those near 50 years, she touched the lives of countless people including hundreds of students and teachers.

Assistant headteacher Faye Bye said: “I met Joan on my first day as an apprentice teaching assistant back in 1995.

"She told me straight how I should keep the classroom clean and tidy and reminded me any time it slipped!  

“She used to laugh at what a cheeky ‘young one’ I used to be and told me she was proud, giving me a big hug, when I became a teacher and continued working at school.

“A wonderful kind and funny lady who always greeted me with ‘Ahh it’s our Faye’ and took the time to ask how I was and how my family were doing.

“She regularly told me off for putting the dirty laundry in the wrong basket or helping myself to towels for swimming but always ended our conversations with love and laughter.

“Rest in peace Joan, you will be missed and you will always be remembered for being a true Hebden legend.”

Fellow teacher Vicky Jordan added: “I met Joan 20 years ago as a young music teacher at Hebden.

“Joan always took an interest in my life and remembered little details. So thoughtful!

“A true example of a hard and efficient worker who took pride in her job.

“Always a smile and so kind, caring and friendly to our lovely pupils. Rest in peace, dear Joan. Never forgotten. My deepest sympathy to Joan's family.”

READ MORE: Family and headteacher pay tribute to 'one of a kind' Joan

Northwich Guardian: Joan began working at Hebden Green School on the very first day it openedJoan began working at Hebden Green School on the very first day it opened (Image: Supplied)

Joan was born in Liverpool in 1938 and left school at 16, taking up work at the likes of Barker and Dobson and Tate and Lyle.

She married her husband Wally in 1968 and they moved to Winsford the following year, following the birth of their daughter Elaine.

In September 1974 she started work at Hebden Green.

One of the pupils she met during her time at the school was Cameron Bryant, who sadly died himself last year.

His mother, Michaela, said: “We met Joan more than 20 years ago when our little man started at Hebden.

“Such a caring, special lady with a wonderful sense of humour.

“She became a big part of Cameron’s life because he spent so much time in her laundry room - ‘our Cam’ she used to call him.

“Dear Joan you will never be forgotten you were such a special lady and it was an honour to have known you. Heaven has gained two beautiful angels, our Cam and now his wonderful friend Joan.”

Brett Glover, a former Hebden pupil, said: “I remember Joan very well.

“Her and I would speak in passing every morning, wheeling past the laundry room, and she’d always greet me with a warm smile.

“A truly remarkable lady who will be missed.”

Dan Harvey, who left the school 21 years ago, added: “Rest in peace Joan, such a lovely person.

"She was always so kind and bubbly.”