Tributes paid to popular Pontypool teacher (From South Wales Argus)

Tributes paid to popular Pontypool teacher

7:30pm Thursday 21st February 2013 in News

A MUCH-LOVED teacher who taught in both Pontypool and Newport has died.

Beryl Dixon, taught at Risca Comprehensive School and became head of domestic science at St Alban’s Comprehensive School, Pontypool, before she was appointed as the first deputy head and senior mistress of the newly opened Lliswerry High School in 1972.

She was also on the board of governors at Llandaff College in Cardiff.

Mrs Dixon, 85, of Gladstone Street, died in the Royal Gwent Hospital on February 12 after a brief illness.

The first head teacher of Lliswerry High School, Dr John Herbert: “She was much-loved and deeply respected by her pupils, colleagues, parents, governors and the friends association of the new school.

“Apart from her onerous administrative duties, she set herself the task of putting a human face to this new and fast developing school and gained an outstanding reputation in the teaching profession throughout Gwent for the high standards she displayed in carrying out her work.”

In her spare time, Mrs Dixons hobby was embroidering and watching Cross Keys rugby matches and Wales games with her late husband, Jack, who was also a teacher at Risca Comprehensive School.

She leaves a daughter Rachel and sister Nancy, 86, who lives in Abergavenny.

The funeral will be held at 11.30am on February 28 at St Mary’s Church, Risca, followed by cremation at Thornhill Crematorium at 1.15pm.

● A psychiatrist who was originally from Pontypool has died at home in America.

Dr Malcolm Bowen, was educated at West Monmouth Grammar School and Birmingham University before gaining a scholarship to Yale University in 1963.

He stayed in the USA after his studies and joined the US Army as a captain and after three years left the army as a major.

He became chief of psychiatry where he treated soldiers suffering with post traumatic stress.

He moved to Georgia and became a medical director, before joining the Atlanta Veterans’ Administration Hospital Staff.

Mr Bowen, 73, died on January 13 at his home in Decatur, Georgia, after battling liver cancer.

He leaves a daughter, Alexandra Cox.