TRIBUTE has been paid to one of Barry's most well known and respected headteachers, who died last week.

Pearl Beaudette, former headteacher at Romilly Primary school among others, died at the age of 87.

Her son Gerald described her as a very compassionate woman who made her mark on generations of children across Barry.

"We're very grateful for all the nice things people have said," he said. "It's quite moving, so many people thought so much of her and regarded her with so much respect."

Pearl moved to Barry in her first year of life when her father began working at Barry docks.

The youngest of three children, she attended Barry Girls grammar school before finding work at Barry dock herself after the start of World War Two.

It was here that she met her future husband Gerald Beaudette, who sadly died in France shortly after the birth of their son.

Pearl spent time working as a typist before beginning her career in teaching in 1949.

Teaching at schools such as Palmerston primary, Albert Road primary in Penarth and Llandough primary, Pearl landed at Romilly primary school where she remained until her retirement.

Pearl was also a dedicated member of the National Union of Teachers, striving for teacher's rights, believing that a happy teacher equals happy children.

Following her retirement, Pearl spent time travelling with friends and enjoying time with her family, son Gerald, daughter-in-law Katherine, grandchildren Henry and Elizabeth and great grandson Henry Raymond.

Son Gerald, 69 - himself a former teacher at Sully and High Street primary - said: "She was very well respected. She was very fair in all of her dealings and was always very compassionate.

"We're realising how much she did now when people are so thoughtful coming up to us and telling us things she did for them that we never knew about.

"We are all very proud of her as she was proud of us."