Winifred (Wyn) Fleet, 95, who taught at St Bartholomew’s Primary School, Wootton Bassett for 18 years prior to retirement, was remembered by a large congregation at St Bartholomew’s and All Saints’ Church, where she worshipped regularly until her health failed in April.

Retired headteacher George Tuckett, a friend and former colleague, recalled Mrs Fleet’s kindness, calm assurance, efficiency and professionalism. “She loved the children she taught, and they loved and respected her.

“Her classroom was an environment in which the children were comfortable yet inspired.”

Mr Tuckett said that Mrs Fleet’s knowledge and wisdom proved invaluable during and after the school’s transfer from its old premises (now the Civic Centre) to the new building at The Rosary, for which she delayed her retirement.

Mrs Fleet was born Winifred Deacon, in County Durham, in August 1913, and spent her early years in North Yorkshire before the family moved to Norfolk.

There she developed a love of sport, especially football, cricket and rugby. In the 1940s, the Rollesby school soccer team which she founded and coached won the local schools’ League. In later years, she frequented boxing matches when her husband was a referee.

Her teaching career began in 1946, and a former pupil’s published memoir, Country Boy, contains a long paragraph extolling the virtues of Miss Deacon, “the kindest of teachers”, who introduced him to the joys of learning.

Mrs Fleet and her late husband, William, an Army officer, were married in February 1950.

She accompanied Bill on his various postings, and taught at several Army schools.

On Mr Fleet’s return to civilian life, they became popular landlords at a couple of inns in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire before settling at Wootton Bassett in 1961.

Mr Fleet then worked at Swindon while Mrs Fleet taught at the Church of England School (later re-named St Bartholomew’s). She was promoted head of its Infants’ Department in 1964.

As a keen artist, in retirement she enjoyed the afternoon meetings of Wootton Bassett & District Art Society. Her love of gardening was reflected initially in the lovely garden that she and Bill developed at Whitehill Lane.

Mrs Fleet continued to enjoy nurturing plants and watching wildlife. She loved birds, and in her final illness, at hospital, she made sure that someone would agree to put out apple for a favourite blackbird in her garden.

Mrs Fleet is remembered fondly by her many friends and the various organisations in which she was involved, including the Mothers’ Union, whose leader Astrid Laurence, one of her former pupils, gave a Bible reading at the funeral.

The service was followed by cremation at Kingsdown.

Memorial cheques, for The Friends of St Bartholomew’s & All Saints’ Church, may be sent to Maslin Funeral Service, 118a High Street, Wootton Bassett SN4 7AU.