Tribute: Judith Myers

It was love at first sight.

When we first drove into Wendover in May 1979 Judith fell in love with the place, a love which intensified over the years. We moved to Lionel Avenue in 1980 with two very young children. When our children reached school age, Judith returned to teaching. She taught at the local schools, although her permanent post was in a primary school in Aylesbury.

When she took early retirement in 1997, Bucks lost a very good teacher. She stood no nonsense in the classroom. An attribute which she, without doubt, was to bring to parish Council meetings. She considered that an important part of her teaching role was wetting an example in behaviour and dress. She taught classes of children how to prepare and take tea at the appropriate time and what to wear on particular occasions. She was also known to have taught the National Curriculum!

It was after her retirement that she was able to give something back to Wendover in partial payment for all the delight and happiness she had enjoyed. Judith soon became a member of Wendover Parish Council, eventually becoming vice-chairman. She brought to this role an integrity and dignity which earned her much respect from all who worked with her. This was certainly reflected in the cards, letters and personal comments that were received following her death.

More recently she was elected to Aylesbury Vale District Council and formed a formidable team with Kevin McPartland and Chris Richards. However, when asked if she had to choose between District and Parish she chose Parish every time.

Judith was never happier than when she was helping people in Wendover improve their lives, such as arranging a shower for an elderly man, improving conditions at Bankside. She was party to the decision to establish Rope Walk as a wild flower meadow. It is here that a tree has been dedicated to her memory.

If anything characterises Judith it was her dignity and strong spirit. These were very apparent during her final illness. She fought her fears and accepted all that the medical profession could throw at her. In the end the cranial tumour won. When she realised this, she accepted it with her usual dignity and died peacefully in the place that she loved, her home in Wendover.