Memorial service to be held for headteacher

Mabel Rankin, who worked at Horndean Infants School in the 1970s, died aged 99 on February 2 at Pinewood Nursing Home in Chidham.

She had also earlier been the deputy head of Sharps Copse Infant School in Leigh Park and head of Stockheath Primary School.

A memorial service, followed by the internment of her ashes, will take place at St Thomas a Becket Church, Warblington, on Friday, April 7, at midday. Any of her former pupils or colleagues are welcome to attend.

Mrs Rankin moved into the area with her family when her husband, Eric, was appointed head of Warblington School, Havant, in 1964, a post he held for 14 years. He died in 2003.

She is survived by two of her children, Penelope and Paul. Her younger son, Mark, an architect, pre-deceased her.