TRIBUTES have poured in for popular teacher Jill Jones who has passed away at the age of just 51.

Jill was head teacher at Kilmacolm Primary for the last six years and her death has greatly saddened the community.

The Greenock mum-of-two had battled to beat breast cancer only for it to return two years ago.

She died at Ardgowan Hospice last Tuesday surrounded by her family.

Jill, pictured right, leaves her partner Peter Robertson, two children, Scott, 24, an accountant, Megan, 20, a student nurse, from her previous marriage, her mother Norma and brother Philip.

In a successful career that spanned more than 30 years, she taught at Craigieknowes Primary, Larkfield Primary, and held the post of depute head at King’s Oak, before taking up the head teacher’s post in Kilmacolm.

One of her oldest friends, Maureen Harrison, said Jill was an inspiration.

Maureen, 63, a retired head teacher of the former King’s Glen School, first met Jill at the start of her career.

She told the Telegraph: “I met Jill 32 years ago when she was embarking on her teaching career at Craigieknowes Primary and I knew then that teaching had found that special someone.

“Jill was a gifted, enthusiastic and loving teacher. She inspired her pupils to be the best they could be and they returned her love and enthusiasm in bucketloads.

“Her ultimate goal was achieved when she became headteacher of Kilmacolm Primary.” Maureen says that even during her illness and treatment, Jill still took an interest in school life.

She said: “Her sense of responsibility was unflinching.

“During her illness and when she was off work, she went up to see the new starts at the school.” Jill, whose maiden name was McKenzie, was brought up in Grieve Road, and educated at Lady Alice Primary and Greenock High School.

As a youngster she attended elocution and drama classes with Etta Gavin, was a member of 4th Greenock Brownies and went to Grove Park Youth Club.

She left school at 17 to train to be a teacher at Jordanhill College in Glasgow and during her holidays she worked with children and adults with learning disabilities.

Maureen says she will remember Jill for her sense of fun.

She said: “I am proud to have been Jill’s pal for all those years.

“She was a joy to be with and on many occasions we got up to no good together, she loved her pranks and we were always playing tricks.

“I will remember Jill always with love.” A celebration of Jill’s life will be held at Westburn Church in Greenock tomorrow at 11am and the service will be conducted by the Reverend Karen Harbison and her close friend and humanist celebrant Jennifer Buchan.