OBITUARY

Noreen Squire

Noreen Squire Noreen Squire retired Head of Mathematics died earlier this year. A funeral requiem was held at St Thomas’ Cathedral, Old Portsmouth on 12th May 2003.

Canon Richard Eckersley an old friend of Noreen’s gave the address at the requiem. The following words attempt to convey some of what he said.

Noreen survived a very tough upbringing yet managed to shine at school, winning County, Major and State scholarships which enabled her to go to Nuneaton High School and then to Kings College London where she took a First in Mathematics.

One day while still at school she found a viola in the attic of her aunt’s home and she decided to learn to play. With characteristic determination she learned to play well enough to play in Youth orchestras and later with quartets and symphony orchestras. Music was one of the great joys in her life along with gardening, jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles.

In 1935 Noreen was offered a teaching post at King Edward V1 High School in Birmingham. She stayed there throughout the years of wartime bombing until being appointed Head of Mathematics at Portsmouth High School in 1947.

Noreen was undoubtedly a brilliant mathematician – she became secretary of the British Mathematical Association - and she loved teaching the mathematically able.

One pupil remembers: "Miss Squire was like someone from another age, when she first came to the school she had plaits that hung down at the back; after a bit they got coiled into a bun at the top. Then one day she had it all cut off and we gathered in crowds to see the new short straight haired but still old fashioned Miss Squire."

After 31 years at the High School Noreen retired in 1978. At first her life was dedicated to care of her mother. Mrs Squire died in 1980 and Noreen began a new life supported by her friendship with Mavis Whitehead. The care and comfort she had given her pupils was now transferred to the sick and lonely.

She became a friend to the patients at the Home of Comfort in Southsea. She visited every day for years and cared for Miss Thorne former headmistress of the High School who spent her last years in the Home of Comfort.

Noreen was diagnosed with throat cancer and was told that she might expect to live for only a few weeks more. She received the news with a serene acceptance and that serenity remained with her until she died.

Noreen Squire had a humility that has nothing to do with self abasement, a gentleness that has nothing to do with weakness and a simplicity that had nothing to do with silliness or stupidity. She had a tremendous inner strength with which she met life’s ups and downs.

Mavis Whitehead, Noreen’s friend and companion for 32 years was very touched by the number of former pupils who attended Noreen’s funeral and shared their memories. The large gathering was an indication of the extent of her friendships and interests.