She taught hundreds of children at Egerton Primary School and remembered them all.

But once they had moved on to secondary school - and beyond - they didn't forget her either.

"Each time we went shopping in town people came up to her and said, 'Hello Mrs Raw, do you remember me?'" said her husband Donald at their home in Tree Way.

"Of course she recognised them although it usually took a moment or two for their name to register."

Mrs Raw lost her six-year battle against cancer two weeks ago.

She was 66.

A large number of sympathy cards now line the mantelpiece at the home she had shared with her husband for 36 years.

"She was just the most wonderful woman you could ever wish to meet," he said on Monday.

"June was the best thing to ever happen to me and I know I am a very fortunate man."

His wife simply loved children and they, it seems, loved her.

"She got so much enjoyment out of helping youngsters to progress," he said. "And they always seemed to do well from her encouragement and support."

And her own son, Gordon, and two grandchildren were no exception.

Mrs Raw spent hours reading to Gordon when he was a boy and she kept up the tradition with Andrew, 7, and Rebecca, 3.

"They just loved spending time with her," said Mr Raw. "June was always happy and jolly and that reflected on them."

He recalls that during their 40-year marriage she was never without a book or crossword puzzle by her side.

But her favourite hobby was travelling.

The couple, who met at a party in London, have been on many tours of the Far East and Europe.

"Bali really struck a chord with her," said Mr Raw. "We had hoped to go on many more trips together, but now that dream has gone."