MarieBARKER LEWIS (NEE TURNER)Marie died peacefully in hospital with her husband by her side on September 9, 2023, aged 86 years.
She is survived by her husband, David and her brother, Peter, her nephew Matthew and niece Sarah. She was the former Head of Modern Languages at Habergham High School, Burnley. Marie grew up in Bacup where her parents had a newsagent’s shop on St James Street. The family moved to Clayton-le-Moors later and Marie attended Accrington High School from where she went to Liverpool University to study French. After graduating she first taught at Manchester Girls Grammar School before taking up a post at Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School in the early 60s. Marie took on the role of French teacher at Kent School in Hostert, Germany where she met her husband, David in 1964 from their mutual love of amateur theatre. She and David were married in 1966 and she moved back to England to Haslingden High School when David was posted to Aden. She then took on the role of French teacher in the languages department at Habergham High School for Girls graduating to become Head of Department. Ill health forced early retirement in 1993. Marie was also a senior French Examiner for the A.Q.A. the professional body that oversees examinations for GCSE and A Level awards. From then Marie’s interest were mainly craft based and she became an expert in Boutis, a French Provençal style of quilting, and subsequently gave demonstrations to craft groups in the Northwest. On a trip to America with her husband, they became very friendly with some Amish families and as a result, Marie devoted much time to studying their way of life and their various quilting techniques. Many women’s Institute groups called on Marie’s expertise in this field to give talks about the Amish way of life.
Marie’s funeral will be held at Accrington Crematorium on Thursday, October 12 at 1.40pm.
Family flowers only please, donations in memory of Marie are being gratefully received on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society c/o champfunerals.com/ obituaries
All enquiries to Champ Funeral Services, Bank House, Whalley Road, Clayton Le Moors, Accrington BB5 5DY Tel: 01254 390731
