‘Kindest’ teacher who inspired kids across town dies at 43

A ‘kind and compassionate’ teacher who inspired the children of Liverpool has died aged 43.

Mary Colgan died in her mother’s arms at her home in Aigburth in the early hours of Saturday 23 April. The mother of one, originally from Drogheda in Ireland, moved to the city at the age of 17 and trained to become a cookery teacher. .

She spent 18 years working as a Hospitality, Catering and Textiles teacher at Childwall Sports and Science Academy, where she was also a faculty leader in Design and Technology. After working during the first coronavirus lockdown, Mary was forced to resign from her job after being diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma multiforme in August 2020.

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Glioblastoma multiforme is a fast-growing, aggressive brain tumor with a devastatingly short median survival time of only 12 to 18 months. Despite her diagnosis, her best friend Julie Hoey said Mary “put up the best fight” and didn’t want to know how long she had to live.

Julie told ECHO: “She always said ‘nobody can tell me when I’m going to die, I’m only going to die when I’m ready to die.’ She faced it every day, she was an absolute inspiration to anyone who knew her.

“She touched so many hearts and the messages have been really overwhelming because of the way she behaved as a teacher, her compassion, her enthusiasm. Her email address was Miss Sunshine, she was a ray of sunshine.”

Julie described Mary as a “true foodie” who came to school at 7:30 am to make bacon for her students and was willing to support students who might not have had breakfast otherwise. She added: “She was just an amazing friend, my rock and an amazing teacher. She has a little boy, she’s nine years old, he was the absolute world of hers and she was his.”

“We realized her dream very early on. She used to sign all our cards with ‘Scouse Irish forever,’ so what we decided to do as a legacy for her was really John, myself… was to set up a Scouse Irish forever website and Instagram”.

Julie said the Scouse Irish website was set up by her and her friend John Parry after Mary was diagnosed, with the aim of “promoting the link between Liverpool and Ireland” by selling Liverpool and Irish products. All proceeds from the merchandise were given to the Clatterbridge Cancer Center in Liverpool, where Mary received treatment.

The family wishes to raise awareness of glioblastoma multiforme and the need for more funding for brain tumors in memory of Mary. Since news of her passing was announced on the Scouse Irish Instagram page, tributes have poured in from friends, colleagues and alumni.

One student wrote: “RIP Miss Colgan my favorite teacher always made us all smile at every heartbreaking xxx lesson.”

A second said, “Such sad news! RIP Miss Colgan. You were the loveliest, kindest, happiest teacher! Thinking of you and all your family and friends xxx.”

A third said: “Heartbreaking. RIP to the best teacher I’ve ever had, such a wonderful woman.”

Radio City presenter Leanne Campbell said: “The Queen. We will cherish our beautiful handmade blankets and our memories of her boundless kindness. Always in my thoughts. One of a kind x.”

A former colleague wrote: “I had the pleasure of spending my first few years of my teaching career working as part of the @childwallacademy staff. Mary was one of the best, she always had time for the students, making sure every child had a chance. Her famous cafe after staff nights out were legendary and she was always the life and soul of the school no more words just memories but i will keep them with me forever devastated sleep well miss colgan my Sincerest condolences to his entire family. Sully x”

A book of condolences will be available for people to sign at the Childwall Sports and Science Academy starting Monday. Julie and her family would like to thank the Marie Curie End-of-Life Care Service (STARS) team, the district nurses, and the staff at Clatterbridge Cancer Center for the care they provided to Mary.

Julie added: “They really took care of us all to be honest and treated her with dignity and love and respect and that’s all you can ask for.”

The family is now raising money for Marie Curie and Fans Supporting Foodbanks in memory of Mary. to donate Click here either here.