I was at the funeral service today of an amazing teacher from my youth. This is just a little reminder of this lovely lady. I remember all the lovely music that we were introduced to by her. The Marriage of Figaro at The Globe Theatre, there were the lunchtime concerts by the Northern Symphony Orchestra at Middlesbrough, to name but a few.
Miss Ralph, Shirley also took our year group to see West Side Story at the Odeon Cinema. We had never seen anything like it, it was still an all girls school and many of us sobbed through the death scene when the hero was killed in the battle between the Sharks and the Jets.
We were told that we would never go to another film because we had caused her so much embarrassment by our behaviour.
In mitigation I don’t think we had ever seen such an emotional production, but of course it was not a threat that was ever carried out.
I still remember how ashamed I felt though, it taught me a lesson about behaviour. Todays service made me feel happy that she seemed to have had a joyful, fulfilled life.
She was so lovely, that on the occasions I met her at various events that we came across each other she was always generous with her time. She will be up there in heaven singing with the other Angels I feel sure. Dudley will be there waiting for her too I hope.
Rest in peace Shirley Ralph, God Bless you.
Sally (Crabbe)
Sally Crabbe
10/08/2024
