Teacher was an inspiration to a generation
A speech and drama teacher who was an inspiration to a generation of performing arts students in Northamptonshire has died aged 88.
Anita Wright was involved with the Northamptonshire Festival of Music and Drama for more than 50 years and helped dozens of students to realise their dream of getting a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Drama.
As well as offering private speech and therapy tuition, Anita also worked as an English teacher at the then Kingsthorpe School for Girls and then went on to be head of English at Parklands Middle School.
Anita had a great love of poetry and drama and gained her own diploma from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and also received a certificate from the University of Leicester at the age of 80.
Her son, David Wright, aged 61, said: "Many people talked of her being an inspiring teacher but also a very good friend and supporter. She was very generous with her time, money and gifts."
"I think what characterises her more than anything is getting her certificate from the University of Leicester at the age of 80. It shows her drive, determination, great courage and strength of character. She has been a model and inspiration to me."
David's wife Irene, said: "I have just been amazed by how many people have rung and said they are sad that she has died. I have been quite overcome by the depths of feeling of so many people who have said she has done so much for them and they would not be where they are today if it wasn't for her."
Anita spent her early years in Leicestershire but moved to Northampton in the 1930s where she met her husband Stan after they played tennis together.
Stan and Anita got married in 1939 and celebrated their diamond anniversary in 1999. Mr Wright died a few months later.
Anita died in Duncote Hall nursing home on March 23 after developing a brain tumour. She leaves her son David, his wife Irene and two grandsons, Nick and Andy.
A memorial service will be held at St Peter's Church in Weston Favell on Thursday, April 10 at 1.30pm.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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