Popular Pat ‘was so full of life and energy’

LOVING tributes have been paid to a popular local lady who ‘lived a full and active life’.

Patricia Mary Greatorex, or Pat as she was known, died of a heart condition on 15th September aged 81-years-old.

Born in Kirton in Lindsey in 1931, Pat went on to become a pillar of the community.

“What I loved about her was her energy,” said her daughter Celia Lord. “I’ve lost my best friend.”

Not only was Pat headmistress of Morton County Primary School, but she also served as secretary and chairman of the Gainsborough and District Decorative and Fine Arts Society, organist at Morton Church, chairman of the Gainsborough branch of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, a patron of the Gainsborough Choral Society and president of the Gainsborough High School’s Old Girls Association.

Pat also loved local history and wrote books about Morton, Corringham and Springthorpe before coordinating the chapters on the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s to ‘A History of the Gainsborough Girls High School 1920-1983’.

She spent her early years in Morton where her father Harry Plowright was headmaster of Morton County Primary School.

Pat then transferred from Caistor Grammar School to Gainsborough Girls School where she excelled in hockey and tennis and was renowned as a great musician. Described as ‘a born teacher’, Pat began her teaching career in the 1950s at South County Infants School in Lea Road, before becoming assistant mistress at Morton County Primary School in the late 50s and then headmistress in 1972 - a post which she held for 17 years.

She married Dennis Greatorex in 1959 after the met through Gainsborough Town Tennis Club.

They were wed in Morton Church - a place which meant a lot to her and where she was the organist for the last 12 years.

Following her retirement, Pat embarked on a very full life and was always dedicated to the community - but always remained active with ‘a great sense of fun’.

“Undoubtedly, she led a life of great service,” said Celia. “But it was also a life well lived and full of fun. She greatly enjoyed her travels in this country and around the world.”

“She was born in Kirton and died in Scunthorpe. While that’s quite a short distance, she travelled far and lived such an interesting and full life.”

Celia added: “I am greatly touched by the many expressions of sympathy and kind words that have been sent. Mum will be sorely missed by so many.”

l Pat Greatorex’s funeral will be held at St Paul’s Church in Morton at 11am on Friday 28th September.

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