AN inspirational dance teacher who helped hundreds of youngsters fulfil their dreams has passed away at the age of 82.

June Bell, better known to her pupils as Miss Suttie, taught ballet, tap and modern dance for more than 50 years. 

She was a perfectionist who demanded the very best and this was reflected in her students’ success.

June passed away peacefully on December 21.

Son Stefan, 60, who had been visiting for Christmas, said: “She was dancing until she was forced to give up only five years ago.

“She was a stickler for perfection. She had a saying: ‘That’s good, well done but there’s always room for improvement’.

“Ballet was her favourite, she liked the discipline of it and this was reflected in her exceptionally good marks. 

“She put a lot of effort into it.”

June’s contribution to dance was recognised by the Royal School of Ballet, who made her an honorary member.

She hailed from Cardenden in Fife and was a highly talented dancer herself, but a knee injury prevented her from pursuing a professional career.

She married her husband John Bell, who became the head planner with the then-Greenock development corporation.

The couple lived in Lyle Road in Greenock and Tower Drive in Gourock, before building a home, Brueacre Kennels in Inverkip.

John passed away in 1996, but June kept on the kennels and continued with her dance school.

She taught at the Arts Guild and at Gourock Community Hall in Kirn Drive.

Stefan, a joiner who is based in France, said: “She actually taught generations of families, she was teaching grandchildren of her former pupils.”

He also said his mum was of the ‘old-school’ generation whose teaching encapsulated elocution, deportment and good manners.

Stefan said: “I remember one day she met one of her pupils in the supermarket with her mum.

“She asked her how she was that day and bent down to whisper the answer to the wee girl and the wee girl repeated it: ‘I am very well thank-you Miss Suttie.’”

Stefan said she was very flamboyant and enjoyed being in the limelight. He added: “I think she would like to be remembered as making a difference.”