Student dies months before fulfilling her ambition

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Student dies months before fulfilling her ambition

Promising trainee was close to landing `dream job' as a primary school teacher

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Aberdeen,Scotland,UK

By Nichola Rutherford

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1169263?UserKey=

Published: 14/04/2009

A promising trainee teacher has died from an asthma attack — just as she was set

to fulfil her lifelong ambition.

, 21, was close to landing her " dream job " as a primary school

teacher when she died last week.

The former Nairn Academy head girl had completed a placement at her former

primary, Millbank, and was due to graduate from Aberdeen University this summer.

She was expecting to take up a position as a probationary teacher in August, but

at the end of last month she was admitted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness with

breathing problems.

Last Thursday she died after suffering an asthma attack.

Doctors said the young woman, who was known as Steph and had mild asthma for

most of her life, had contracted Aspergillus, a rare infection known also as

Farmer's Lung.

It is contracted by inhaling the spores of a fungus that grows on soil, plant

debris and rotting vegetation. Most people are naturally immune to it.

Last night, family and friends paid tribute to Miss , who grew up in

Wellington Road, Nairn.

Her partner of 13 months, Fraser, with whom she lived at Nairn, said: " She

has given me the best year of my life. " Mr Fraser, 24, a member of aircrew at

RAF Kinloss, added: " Steph was always happy and full of life. It's going to be

very hard without her.

" She would have finished her teacher training at the end of May and she would

have been a fantastic teacher. "

Her mother, Liz , described her as " the perfect daughter " .

Lynne Shiach, the programme director of her university course, said: " She was a

vibrant, fun-loving, enthusiastic young student who made a positive impression

on all who worked and learned with her.

" She was a naturally-gifted student teacher who understood children and how to

enthuse them in learning. "

Nairn Provost Liz Mac said the whole town was in shock at the news of Miss

's death.

" She was a beautiful girl who was always smiling and had a very bright future

ahead of her. was one of these people who would light up any room. She

had a ready smile and a word for everyone.

Ballet

" The children at school loved her and her colleagues will miss her terribly. "

She said her thoughts were with Miss 's family, adding: " I am sure the

people of Nairn will rally round and offer them all the support they can. "

Miss , a keen dancer in her schooldays, was a junior member of ish

Ballet and a member of the Argyll-based dance company, Ballet West. She was also

well known locally as a keen Highland dancer.

She is also survived by her father, Steve, and her 25-year-old brother, Chris.

Her funeral is at St Ninian's Church, Nairn, on Thursday at 1pm, and afterwards

at Auldearn Cemetery.