Dear Sarah and Caroline, I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your mum. You won't remember me because I last saw you (well Sarah anyway) nearly 50 years ago. Your mum was my biology teacher at Ryles Park. Mrs Greenwood changed my life. She inspired me, a shy and dim 14 year old lacking any confidence, to learn biology and biochemistry. She encouraged me to take O-Levels (not usual for kids at Ryles where CSE's were the norm). She then went onto teach me through A-level and persuaded me to go to university. Virtually unheard of at the school back then. I was her only A-level student for 2 years from 1976 to 1978. I came to your house in Bollington once when she took me to a careers talk somewhere. I remember meeting Sara (you must have only been 9 or 10 years old then). I did go onto university in Manchester and I went on to become a Clinical Scientist at AstraZeneca. That interest and that career were a direct consequence of your mum. I'm especially sad because I only just found out that your mum lived in Sutton, close to where I live up on Buxton Old Road. I would have loved to see her and tell her what her dedication, tenacity and empathy had on a spotty 16 year old 50 years ago. So I'm telling you instead in the hope it makes me feel better. Mrs Greenwood was an amazing teacher and person and I'm truly grateful she had been my teacher. I found a photo I took of your mum sat outside the Leathers Smithy in Langley in summer 1976 with some other teachers. The event was a school sponsored walk through Macclesfield Forest where I was acting as a marshal. I've left it on this site if you were interested. It's how I remember Mrs Greenwood.
I will try and come to the funeral on Monday and briefly say hello to you if I can. If you wanted to hear any more about your mum as a teacher send me a message. My email is
[email protected].
Best Wishes
David Smith
17 Buxton Old Road
Macclesfield
SK11 7EL.
David Smith
21/08/2026
