Obituary: Violet Murphy, former athlete and teacher, 83

Born in West Calder, West Lothian, in 1927, she enthusiastically took part in Midlothian county sports before going on to become a teacher and spending her later years travelling.

Mrs Murphy only realised her dream of becoming a teacher at the age of 44 after her own daughter began secondary school.

Her decision required a great deal of discipline and she had to undertake a degree of re-studying to get her Highers, before going on to study for a diploma in commerce at the Edinburgh College of Commerce.

However, she achieved her goal and became a qualified teacher.

She began her career at Craigshill School, near her home, however, within just two years she had applied for the principal teacher's job at the new St Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn, West Lothian and succeeded in obtaining the post.

As principal teacher she provided the leadership that the new school needed and was a popular figure with staff, colleagues and pupils.

She became involved in many of the school's activities and is fondly remembered for the foreign trips she organised to Italy and Greece.

Mrs Murphy always encouraged her pupils to assume responsibility for their own learning and personal development to best prepare them for social and professional life after leaving school.

She remained at that school until her retirement in 1988 and then took on fresh challenges, both professional and personal.

Prior to her career Mrs Murphy had left school in 1943 and became a clerk in the civil service. After the Second World War she met and married, in 1950, John Murphy. When their daughter was born in 1957 Mrs Murphy worked for Lloyds and Scottish Finance in Edinburgh and a few years later was appointed secretary of the West Calder High School and from there re-trained as a teacher.

When her husband John died in 1987 Mrs Murphy decided to retire, but she was soon drawn back into the profession and, notably, took on a post with the business studies department at Moray House in Edinburgh, appraising student teachers.

She compiled the business studies test papers for the publisher Pillans & Wilson, which issued the preliminary mock exam papers.

Her friends and family said she was determined to remain active, and with typical resolution she learned to drive at the age of 62 and became an enthusiastic traveller.

Initially she travelled around the Mediterranean, but with two American friends she later visited Mexico, the United States and the Arctic Circle.

This zest for life was also seen in many local events. She was a keen member of the local community council and maintained her interest in local and family affairs with the relish she had shown all her life.

Her doctor predicted that an illness might allow her a year of life.

"Mum wrung out three years," her daughter Joan said. "Through sheer strength of character. She faced her illness with the strength and independence that all who knew her valued. She will be much missed."

Mrs Murphy is survived by her daughter. Robert Stewart, her companion in her later years, predeceased her last year.