'A truly beautiful soul' - Black Country school pays tribute to teacher who died after short cancer battle

A school in Kingswinford has paid tribute to a beloved teacher supported “thousands of students and families” over more than two decades who has passed away.

Florence Howarth, who was known in the community as ‘Madame Howarth’, had been a much-loved and respected member of staff at Summerhill School in Kingswinford since 1999.

Describing as a “truly beautiful soul”, the school announced Florence had tragically died following a short battle with pancreatic cancer, aged 63.

In a post on social media, a spokesperson for the school said: “It is with great sadness to inform our Summerhill family of the sudden and tragic loss of our beloved Madame Howarth, who passed away over Easter after a very short battle with pancreatic cancer.

“We as a school are truly heartbroken and are sending all our love, thoughts, and prayers to family and friends at this difficult time. Madame Howarth has been part of the Summerhill family since 1999 and has supported thousands of students and families within our community.

“Her warm, compassionate, loving and caring nature were evident in all walks of life. She was a truly beautiful soul. We will be supporting her family in trying to raise money for research and support for people who suffer this terrible illness.”

It continues: “ Summerhill will always keep Madame Howarth’s light burning brightly as we honour everything that she gave to our school and community. From everyone in the Summerhill family...Madame Howarth, Merci beaucoup, your legacy will live on at Summerhill forever.”

Florence’s loved ones said that she didn’t wish for mourners to gather at a funeral and instead asked for her light to be ‘carried forward’ by helping those who are facing the same aggressive disease.

A fundraising page, which dubs her ‘la femme formidable’, in her name asking for donations to Pancreatic Cancer UK. The charity funds research for early detection and better treatments, campaigns for policy changes to improve care, and provides expert support for patients and families, including a free support line.

Their mission is to transform survival rates for what they term the "toughest of cancer challenges".

Writing on the fundraising page, the family said: “We are heartbroken by the sudden and tragic loss of our beloved Flo Howarth, a vibrant soul whose warmth and kindness touched everyone she met. Flo was the matriarch of our blended family and had an incredible energy that instilled the values of seizing every moment.

“In the wake of this devastating loss, we want to honour Flo’s memory by turning our grief into a force for change. Pancreatic cancer is an incredibly aggressive disease that often goes undetected until it’s too late, leaving families with little time and even fewer answers.

“Flo's wishes were that we don't gather to mourn at a funeral, so requested for no service. Instead, we ask your gesture might be helping us carry her light forward, by contributing to a future where pancreatic cancer no longer steals precious lives. Funds for advanced research, more effective treatments, and greater awareness, might hopefully spare other families the pain we are feeling today and ensure her legacy is one of hope, healing, and progress.”