THE HEADMISTRESS who gave each and every pupil and staff member a Teddy bear as a gesture of her affection when she left the school ten weeks ago has died from cancer aged just 58.

Dee Cooper, who departed from Vernon Infants' in Poynton just before the end of term, left a huge void among her friends after giving them the biggest bear hug of their lives.

Mrs Cooper, a flamboyant and glamorous woman, who was always elegantly dressed and was famous for her love of Teddy bears, died peacefully at St Ann's hospice after a short battle with Osteosarcoma, bone cancer.

The mother-of-two was diagnosed with the disease earlier in the year, and retired from the Poynton school in June.

This week the school was mourning the loss of the popular teacher who began her career there in 1970, before returning in 1991 to become its headteacher for 14 years.

A series of special memorial assemblies have been held at the Infant and Junior schools to mourn Mrs Cooper, and they have promised her motto - "Even if you don't bring anything else to school with you, always bring a smile" - will live on.

Mrs Cooper, whose obsession of bears started with a fascination for Paddington as a young girl, filled the entire school with the cuddly toys from her many travels.

On every shelf across the school the bears watched the staff and children as they worked. Even her own office was stuffed with the toys, and was always a welcome place for her children, who she devoted herself to.

Mrs Cooper battled her disease bravely, undergoing treatment at Stepping Hill hospital and Christie's before, and after, her retirement.

Her two sons, Simon, 28, and Matthew , 30 who live in Disley were mourning the loss of their mother, and have been overwhelmed from the support they have received from the community.

Simon said: "Our mother has done so much. She was such a part of the school. There has been such an outpouring of love from everyone and we have had such amazing support.

"To sum mum up, she was a nice diva. She was a glamorous woman with a cheeky grin and a sparkle in her eye.

"She coped with the bureaucracy to do the best for the children."

Mrs Cooper was also a keen singer involved in three local choirs and also a governor at Poynton High School.

She had a keen interest in psychology and acted as an external adviser for Cheshire County Council.

Jo Glimmerveen, acting headteacher at Vernon Infants School said: "The whole school community is deeply saddened at this tragic news.

"Mrs Cooper was a dedicated and respected teacher who devoted much of her working life to Vernon Infants School. She will be sadly missed by us all and our thoughts are with Mrs Cooper's family at this difficult time."

Mrs Cooper's funeral takes place at St George's Church in Poynton at 2.30pm tomorrow (Thursday) September 10. All donations should be made to St Francis House Hospice c/o Vernon Infants School.