A mum has paid tribute to her daughter who sadly passed away earlier this month.
Naomi Benneyworth was described as a “dedicated and passionate teacher of English, much-loved by pupils and staff at Rednock School” following her death.
Rebecca Benneyworth paid tribute to her much-loved daughter by recalling her life in a transcript sent to Stroud Times.
A mum’s tribute
“Naomi grew up in the Stroud area, attending primary school at Miserden and then Stroud High School. An English teacher at Stroud High sparked her passion for English literature, and for her 14th birthday she embarked on a literary tour of Ireland with two school friends. They read poetry as they travelled to the birthplaces and graves of a number of famous Irish poets including Seamus Heaney and W B Yeats and visited the places Yeats had written about.
“The Cheltenham Literature Festival had become a much anticipated annual fixture in her packed diary from that time, and she had attended this for around 20 years every autumn, logging on the minute tickets were released to members, and more recently taking pupils from Rednock to the Festival.
“Naomi studied English at the University of York and loved studying literature both ancient and modern. She took up basketball at university and played back home for Stroud Sharks for a while. She was also a keen runner and climber, which she took up with her dad. But her commitment to studying for a teaching certificate and then her dedication to her students allowed very little time for anything else in term time.
“She was often in school by 7 am, developing ideas to inspire her students with her own passion for the written word. She cared very deeply for the students she taught, and this led her to launch the ‘Get Rednock Reading’ campaign, inviting donations for books to support a new literacy scheme she helped implement at the school.
“She travelled widely during school holidays, tackling a trek across Africa while still a student herself, bungee jumping at Victoria Falls, and more recently visiting the battlefields of the American civil war – if English was her first love, history was her second, and she particularly enjoyed studying the twists and turns of the Wars of the Roses, spending time visiting Bosworth Battlefield on the anniversary of the battle and the death of Richard III.
“Naomi was loved enormously by her extended family, and particularly by her three nephews, for whom she was an adored and joyful auntie, singing along with them to her favourite songs at the very top of her voice. Our family has been comforted by the many messages expressing love for her from students, parents and staff at Rednock. She was an absolute joy to know, and we will miss her dreadfully, but she now rests peacefully with her beloved dad.
“There will be a celebration of Naomi’s life at Stroud Brewery on Monday, August 15 from 2pm continuing into the evening for those who wish to come after work.
“Please do join us to thank Naomi for her life, and we invite you to wear something pink in her memory and if you feel able, to donate to ‘Get Rednock Reading’ at https://gofund.me/ec034be2 . “
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