Well-known teacher and vicar’s wife Sylvia Hamblin has died at home, aged 81.

She taught for many years at Bowerham Primary School in Lancaster, Cabus Nursery and Playgroup, and Tatham Fells CE Primary School among other schools.

Sylvia’s husband, Canon Roger Hamblin, who died in 2023, was Vicar of Cockerham and Winmarleigh from 1976 - and later Glasson in addition – for 24 years.

They moved to Wray in 2000 when Roger became the Vicar of Wray, Tatham and Tatham Fells.

Well-known teacher and vicar’s wife Sylvia Hamblin has died at home aged 81.

placeholder image — Well-known teacher and vicar’s wife Sylvia Hamblin has died at home aged 81.

Tunstall, Melling and Leck were added three years later. He retired in 2009.

Sylvia was heartily involved in parish activities and the community and loved teaching, but being a vicar’s wife was central to her life.

As well as Brownies and Guides, she was instrumental in running Mother and Baby groups, Mini wives’ meetings and Mothers’ Union since 1977.

On retirement, Sylvia and Roger moved to Pilling.

Sylvia Mavis Jackson was born in Stockport in 1945 and attended Dialstone Lane Methodist Church, where she was a rose queen in 1959 and married Roger at Easter 1970.

Having learned to play the violin at secondary school, she was in the orchestra at Summerfield College, Kidderminster in Worcestershire and, while at Cockerham, in the orchestra at St Martin’s College, Lancaster.

Her first teaching role was at Gatley Primary School in Cheadle.

Roger’s first post in the church was as curate at St Paul’s Scotforth from 1970 to 1973, followed by Clayton-le-Moors.

Sylvia was honoured to be included in the lives of parishioners in both happy and sad times, being invited to family occasions such as baptisms, weddings, birthdays and wedding anniversary celebrations as well as many funerals.

In widowhood and housebound, Sylvia showed remarkable fortitude, determination and cheerfulness and had an active social life.

She leaves a son Tim, a daughter Fiona and granddaughter Ivy Mae.

She died on May 24, and her funeral, conducted by the Vicar, Rev Gary Lewis, was at St Michael and All Angels Church, Cockerham on June 10, followed by cremation at Beetham Hall.

Donations in Sylvia’s memory were given to Cockerham, Winmarleigh and Glasson Churches.