A "kind and compassionate" teacher who inspired children across Liverpool has died aged 43.
Mary Colgan died in her mum's arms at her home in Aigburth in the early hours of Saturday, April 23. The mum-of-one, originally from Drogheda in Ireland, moved to the city at the age of 17 and trained to become cookery teacher.
She spent 18 years working as a teacher of Hospitality, Catering and Textiles at Childwall Sports and Science Academy, where she was also a faculty leader of Design and Technology. After working throughout the first coronavirus lockdown, Mary was forced to give up her job after being diagnosed with stage four Glioblastoma Multiforme in August 2020.
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Glioblastoma Multiforme is a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumour with a devastatingly short average survival time of just 12-18 months. Despite her diagnosis, best friend Julie Hoey said Mary "gave it the best fight" and didn't want to know how long she had left to live.
Julie told the ECHO: "She always said 'no one can tell me when I'm going to die, I'm only going to die when I'm ready to die'. She faced everyday, she was just an absolute inspiration to anyone who met her.
"She touched so many hearts and the messages have been really overwhelming with the way she conducted herself as a teacher; her compassion, her enthusiasm. Her email address was Miss Sunshine - she was a ray of sunshine."
Julie described Mary as a "real foodie" who would arrive at school at 7.30am to make bacon butties for her pupils and was keen to support pupils who may not have had breakfast otherwise. She added: "She was just an amazing friend, my rock, and an amazing teacher. She's got a little boy - he's nine years old - he was her absolute world and she was his.
"We realised her dream from very early on. She used to sign all of our cards with 'Scouse Irish forever' so what we decided to do as a legacy to her really was John, myself...was set up a Scouse Irish forever website and Instagram."
Julie said the Scouse Irish website was set up by herself and friend John Parry after Mary was diagnosed, with the aim "promoting the bond between Liverpool and Ireland" by selling Liverpool and Irish merchandise. All profits raised from the merchandise was given to the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool, where Mary received treatment.
The family are keen to raise awareness of Glioblastoma Multiforme and the need for more funding for brain tumours in Mary's memory. Since announcing the news of her passing on the Scouse Irish Instagram page, tributes have flooded in from friends, colleagues and former pupils.
One pupil wrote: "RIP Miss Colgan, my favourite teacher always had us all smiling through every lesson xxx heartbreaking."
A second said: "Such sad news! RIP Miss Colgan. You were the most lovely, kindest, happy teacher! Thinking of you and all your family and friends xxx."
A third said: "Heartbreaking. RIP to the greatest teacher I ever had, such a wonderful women."
Radio City host Leanne Campbell said: "The queen. We will cherish our beautiful hand made blankets and our memories of her limitless kindness. Forever in my thoughts. One of a kind x."
A former colleague wrote: "I had the pleasure to spend my early teaching career working as part of the staff @childwallacademy. Mary was one of the best, always had time for the students, making sure every child had an opportunity. Her famous café after staff nights out were legendary and she always was the life and soul of the school. There are no more words, only memories but I will keep them with me forever. Devastated, sleep tight Miss Colgan, my sincere condolences to all of her family. Sully x"
A book of condolences will be available for people to sign at Childwall Sports and Science Academy from Monday. Julie and the family would like to thank the Supportive and End of Life Care Service (STARS) team at Marie Curie, the district nurses and the staff at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre for the care they gave to Mary.
Julie added: "They have really looked after all of us to be honest and treated her with dignity, love and respect and that's all you can ask for."
The family is now raising money for Marie Curie and Fans Supporting Foodbanks in Mary's memory. To donate click here or here.
