EDUCATION played a key role in the life of Muriel Frances Silvester.

As well as absorbing knowledge for her own benefit she proved unstinting in her efforts to pass it on to others in the classroom.

Mrs Silvester spent a lifetime teaching in the city and county of Hereford and almost until the time of her death at the age of 89 she was writing to the Department for Education about standards of education in schools.

Known to many as Fanny, Mrs Silvester was born in Eardisley to Mr and Mrs Bernard Harris but moved soon afterwards to Ivy House in Ledbury Road, Hereford, where her parents were matron and master to the Boy's Home for many years.

Mrs Silvester went to Hereford High School and met her future husband, Frederick Silvester, who lived nearby in Church Road.

She was a founder member of the Cine Club in the city and managed a coloured home movie of her wedding in 1940, long before videos.

But her marriage ended tragically five years later when Frederick, who had joined the RAF and became a Flt Lt and a navigator was killed in action towards the end of the war, in February, 1945.

Mrs Silvester, left to make a life for herself and two small daughters Peggy and Lesley trained to become a teacher and her first job was at Holmer School where her husband had taught before enlisting in the RAF.

She later became headmistress at Much Cowarne School but returned to Hereford at the opening of the Bishop of Hereford Bluecoat School where she was appointed to teach children with special needs.

Mrs Silvester gained a Diploma in Special Education at Birmingham and at the age of 60 a degree from the Open University. After retirement she returned to teach at Ivy House, her original home, until it was demolished for redevelopment.

She spent most of her adult life in the same house in Ledbury Road but more recently had lived in a nursing home near her daughter Lesley.

Mrs Silvester did have other interests, she played hockey for the Hereford Ladies team, enjoyed amateur dramatics, belonging to Hereford Players, was a member of the Whitecross Tennis Club, enjoyed folk dancing, was an active member of Tupsley WI and wrote humorous verse as well as her autobiography.

Her funeral will take place at St Paul's Church, Tupsley next Tuesday.