In Memoriam of Christine Hodgson

Christine Hodgson, a former English teacher at Queen Mary School, Lytham, who was the first female Mayor of the Fylde in 1984, has died aged 82.

Christine came from a Suffolk farming family and after reading English at Westfield College, London began a career which included both journalism and teaching.

Her early teaching was at Bury Girls’ GS, where the comedian Victoria Wood was one of her pupils. Christine then worked on a national newspaper in Manchester where she met John, married, and moved to live in Lytham.

She joined the English Department of Queen Mary School in the early 1970s and later moved to Elmslie School in Blackpool for promotion. Her two sons William and Roderick were pupils at King Edward’s. Her interest in politics as service led to her becoming firstly a local councillor and then Mayor of Fylde in 1984-85.

Her fellow English department member Lorna Fowler has said,“QMS colleagues who worked with Christine will remember her thoughtfulness for others, her positive outgoing nature, her many diverse interests and her boldness in tackling issues of the day which she felt needed to be confronted.”

Christine moved to London in the late 1980s, using her journalistic skills as Head of PR and Marketing for the now University of East London where she stayed till her retirement.

In her 70s she gained a Ph. D. in Modern English Literature and was active in many voluntary organisations.

Christine's funeral is at St, Cuthbert’s Church in Lytham on Friday 26 July at 2.00 pm. Donations, in lieu of flowers, are requested by the family, for Macmillan Cancer Support.