TRIBUTES have been paid to a “very special” stalwart of community life who devoted much of her time to a North-East parish. Jennifer Gilligan was a well-known figure in Darlington through her role as the long-serving secretary at St Teresa’s RC Primary School, along with other voluntary commitments to the parish. Jennifer became a Eucharistic minister at St Teresa’s RC Church, arranged the church flowers, and regularly helped with the tea and cake stall at summer and Christmas fetes. She also made lifelong friendships during parish trips to Lourdes and Rome. She died at home on December 28 with her son, David, and daughters, Louise and Maria by her side, following a long and courageous fight against cancer.
TRIBUTES have been paid to a “very special” stalwart of community life who devoted much of her time to a North-East parish. Jennifer Gilligan was a well-known figure in Darlington through her role as the long-serving secretary at St Teresa’s RC Primary School, along with other voluntary commitments to the parish. Jennifer became a Eucharistic minister at St Teresa’s RC Church, arranged the church flowers, and regularly helped with the tea and cake stall at summer and Christmas fetes. She also made lifelong friendships during parish trips to Lourdes and Rome. She died at home on December 28 with her son, David, and daughters, Louise and Maria by her side, following a long and courageous fight against cancer.
Rob Lawson and Ellen Thinnesen Picture: TOM BANKS MEMBERS of one of the UK’s largest college groups have been awarded OBEs in the Queen’s New Year 2021 Honours list. Ellen Thinnesen and Rob Lawson were both honoured for their outstanding contribution to education for their work with Education Partnership North East (EPNE) which incorporates Sunderland College, Northumberland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form. Sunderland College merged with Hartlepool Sixth Form in 2017, and established EPNE after its merger with Northumberland College in 2019. Now one of the largest college groups in the country with 21,500 student enrolments, six college campuses and several satellite delivery centres situated entirely within the North East region, EPNE serves a significant catchment area spanning from Berwick-upon-Tweed to the Tees Valley.