Patricia Trotter

TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved English teacher who died in her Lissenden Gardens flat last month.

Patricia Trotter and her husband Kevin Gwilt were found dead in their flat in Salcombe Lodge, Gospel Oak, in September. Neighbours say they had contacted Camden Council’s social care team and landlords Riverside repeatedly to warn that the couple were vulnerable and in bad health.

Tragically, firefighters were called to break down the door after neighbours reported the couple had not been seen for some time.

Neighbours have called upon the Town Hall to investigate how the couple, who had been visited by social workers, could be left in such circumstances that led to their deaths.

Inquests have yet to take place. Now friends and colleagues of Pat have told the New Journal of a life well lived by a woman who as an English teacher inspired hundreds of students.

Ms Trotter, who was in her early 70s, worked at an independent sixth-form college in Hampstead before retiring due to poor health.

Little is known about her early life – born on a remote island in Papua New Guinea where her father had been posted as an engineer, the family had returned to England when she was five. She had a brother and niece.

Colleague Sarah Patterson had known Patricia for around 20 years. She said: “She was private, but also very sociable. She didn’t like talking about herself but loved hearing all about others.”

Described as a voracious reader and immersed in English literature, she loved Chaucer, Mansfield and Shakespeare. Spells in the Royal Free this year would see her sat up in bed surrounded by books, including popular tomes as well as weighty classics.

SEE ALSO WHAT WENT WRONG AT SALCOMBE LODGE?

Patricia would walk over Hampstead Heath to work – she loved the Heath – and also loved travelling.

The Greek Islands and Spain were particularly favoured destinations.

She would marry Kevin in Greece.

Ms Patterson recalls a friend who inspired her pupils.

She said: “She was a brilliant teacher, her style warm but firm. She had a wicked sense of humour and I remember sharing lots of laughs after a hard day’s teaching.” Pat was always interested in others – “she loved observing and would notice the quirks we all have”, added Ms Patterson.

Pat’s friends kept in touch after her retirement but she declined offers of help. Ms Patterson said: “We would talk regularly. Pat had a very difficult time latterly as her health deteriorated. She became virtually house-bound and dependent on her husband, but she never once complained. I admired Pat tremendously and was extremely fond of her and she did not deserve her tragic end. She will be sadly missed by many who loved her.”

Salcombe Lodge

Colleague and former co-principal of Pat’s college, Nick Cochrane, said: “She was always the consummate professional – committed, reliable, conscientious and immaculately turned out. She was very much respected by staff and students alike for her support, integrity, goodwill and unfailing sense of humour.

“Her untimely death came as a huge shock to all of us and she will be greatly missed as an inspirational teacher and a wonderful friend.”

Fellow English teacher Margaret Park said: “She was a perfect boss in that she gave advice but otherwise didn’t disturb my autonomy. She was impressively efficient, always with a small notebook to hand to remember tasks. Organised, except for her cupboard in the English room: bizarrely, the overstuffed contents would slide to the floor whenever the door opened.”

Pat’s sense of humour was renowned, and jokes would be followed by an “endearing throaty laugh”.

Ms Park said: “She could be critical in the baldest terms but always with humour behind her needle-sharp observa­tions. Watching her with students, I was full of admiration. Pat was about 5ft 2 but she had a stony-faced stare that silenced the cheekiest 15-year-old. And she knew the power of a personal compliment. This warmth meant students adored her.”

Teaching Chaucer was a challenge but one she relished, they add.

She said: “Pat persisted after many had dropped him as too inaccessible. She was highly amused by the students’ screams when they first glimpsed the medieval English, but won them over by her delight in Chaucer’s bawdy humour and insights into the duplicity of human nature.”

Pat was known for her style: described as a “sartorial marvel”, she would scour charity shops for outfits.

Ms Park added: “Her nails would be painted to match her outfit and her jewellery, scarves and even her watches similarly matched or toned.”

Head of GCSEs, Anita Grange, recalled her dedication.

She said: “Pat was a committed and inspirational tutor, and loyal and supportive with colleagues. She noticed if a person was struggling and unobtrusively took them aside for reassurance, which often included a hug.”