A PACKED Tardebigge church heard friends and family pay their last respects to a well-known Bromsgrove woman who was described as an inspiration to all.

Esther Jane Boyer, who was known as Jane to her friends, died on March 17 at the age of 99.

She founded The Mount School and was a key figure in the town for many years. Her funeral service was held last Thursday at St Bartholomew's.

Born in Wigan in 1905, Jane moved to Bromsgrove in 1940 when her late husband Thomas got a job teaching at Bromsgrove School.

She started work in the school's tuck shop in 1943, before opening Wendron House, off Windsor Street, with her husband for boys of the school.

After her husband retired Jane founded, opened and ran The Mount School, formerly All Saint's Vicarage, in the Birmingham Road, and remained its headteacher for 26 years.

During World War Two, she also helped relocate Bromsgrove School to Wales just in case the country was invaded.

At the church service, Jane's former neighbour David Hawkins read a tribute telling of the many details to her life.

He told of how as a 90-year-old she went to Australia and travelled a further six hours to a sheep farm to visit one of her former pupils.

"She never had children of her own, but her pupils were like the children she never had," he said.

The Venerable Frederick Hazell, who spoke of Jane's love for St Bartholomew's, took the service, which featured her favourite hymn - Be Still For the Presence of The Lord.

Jane also had many other interests including the Women's Institute, the Girl Guides and she was a key figure in setting up the Bromsgrove Festival.

She continued to travel in her old age and was most recently a resident of Housman Court Nursing Home. She passed away peacefully at The Alexandra Hospital, Redditch.

Her niece, Marjorie Hogg, said: "I admired her stamina and involvement and her way with people. I wish I had her energy. She was an inspiration."