TRIBUTE has been paid to a retired teacher and Rotary stalwart who has died after a brave battle against cancer.

Grandmother Pat Clark had already beaten breast cancer several years ago.

But the devastating disease returned in her pancreas and this time she was warned it was terminal.

"Doctors said her life expectancy without treatment was about three months and with treatment a year," said her husband, Duncan, of Branwell Drive, Haworth.

"She started on chemotherapy at Airedale Hospital but the treatment was limited due to its adverse effects and proved unsuccessful.

"Pat was referred to Leeds General Infirmary, but she was warned they couldn't do much at all.

"She had a naturally cheery and positive personality and kept doing as much as she could for as long as she could."

Mr Clark cared for his wife at home, with support from visiting nurses, but as she grew weaker she was admitted to Sue Ryder hospice Manorlands at Oxenhope.

She died there less than 24 hours later, aged 72, with her husband and daughter, Heather, at her side.

"I've had no fewer than sixty cards and letters of condolence so far which is testament to how popular and well thought of she was," said Mr Clark, a retired employment law consultant.

"Virtually everyone has commented on how cheerful Pat always was and I'm grateful for everybody's kind words."

Heckmondwike-born Mrs Clark was a physics teacher at Holy Family School, Keighley, for several years in the late 1970s and early 80s.

She then spent about 20 years at Fulneck School in Leeds, where she became head of science, before retiring in 2002.

"It was extremely rare to have female physics teachers so Pat was quite unique and she was always very proud of the fact that whilst at Holy Family she taught Helen Gleeson, who became Cavendish Professor of Physics at the University of Leeds," said Mr Clark.

Both he and Pat, who had been married just over 50 years, were founder members of Haworth & Worth Valley Rotary Club in 1998 and remained actively involved.

Mrs Clark was also a former Brownie leader at Haworth and her other interests included table tennis.

Chris Bown, a fellow inaugural member of the village's Rotary club, said: "Pat was a fantastic Rotarian and a lovely lady.

"She would never hesitate to do anything. She loved getting involved in the Haworth 1940s Weekend, she did voluntary work – through Rotary – for the Salvation Army and lots of other things, such as reading in schools.

"Both she and Duncan have always been there, willingly helping with everything, and a few months ago we presented them with a Rotary community award in recognition of their services."

Mrs Clark is survived by her husband, daughter and son, Andrew, and three grandchildren.

A funeral service and cremation takes place at Oakworth Crematorium tomorrow (Jan 23), at 10.45am.