A ceremony was held yesterday in honour of a teaching assistant who worked at a school for 21 years.

Churchfields Infants' School, in South Woodford hosted the event and unveiled a bench and reading corner to celebrate the life and contribution of Sue Killens.

Mrs Killens died at the age of 67 in July last year after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
She had lived in South Woodford and Wanstead her whole life.

Headteacher of Churchfields school, Lesley Hook, said: “Sue Killens was an integral part of Churchfields Infants’ School for over 21 years, helping to teach generations of children to read and write, in her infinitely patient style, before sadly losing her battle to cancer last year.

“As a tribute to the huge contribution Sue made to the school community, a section of the Year One play area has been converted into a beautiful outdoor Reading Corner and dedicated to her memory, in acknowledgement of her love of reading.”

A bench, decorated by school pupils, was unveiled in the new reading area as school choir sang at the ceremony.

Mrs Killens' husband of 44 years, John, 68, said: “I was overwhelmed by the response by the school and it was really nice, she was really proud to be a member of staff here.

“It was a fitting tribute to Sue. She was the other half of my life for around 50 years and it is not the same without her.

"She had a real connection with children and I am happy she has received this recognition because she really deserves it in the community."