A Ramsbottom school is in mourning after the death of a much-loved nursery nurse.

Angela Moses, who worked at St Joseph’s RC Primary, died last Thursday at the age of 54, after a long battle with cervical cancer.

Mrs Moses leaves behind her husband Dylan, son Tom, aged 22, and daughter Emma, aged 19.

The school will be closed tomorrow as a mark of respect, and to allow people to attend her funeral which will take place at St Hilda’s Church in Tottington.

Mrs Moses had worked at the school for 23 years, having previously been at St Joseph & St Bede Primary in Bury, and Our Lady of Lourdes Primary in Brandlesholme.

She was first diagnosed with cancer in January, 2007, and was forced to retire on medical grounds in September last year, but continued to go into school on a voluntary basis until December.

Her sister, Pauline Roe, said: “Anyone who ever met Angela knew she was a fantastic person. She fought cancer with great dignity and courage, and always cared about others rather than herself.

“She absolutely loved children and was a great support to Dylan. He was a police officer and then became a roofing contractor, and she even used to go and help him on the roof. There was nothing that she wouldn’t tackle.

“She got tremendous support and care from Bury Hospice, not just in the final week of her life, but for about six months prior to that.”

Mrs Moses attended Hollymount Primary School, and Bury Convent Grammar school, before studying for the National Nursery Examination Board qualification at college.

At the age of 18, she travelled to Canada to work as a nanny, spending three years there.

On returning to the UK she worked in an old people’s home, before becoming a nursery nurse for the rest of her career.

Jim Graves, headteacher at St Joseph’s, said: “Mrs Moses’s death is a huge loss and we will miss her terribly. She epitomised love, care, guidance, protection and nurture. She made us all smile, and was an inspiration to the staff and children in our school.”

Mrs Moses’s family are asking for donations, if desired, to be made to Bury Hospice through Silletts Funeral Service, For details call 0161 723 2383.