POPULAR former schoolteacher Irene Rogers, who taught at schools in the Wellington area, has died at the age of 86.

She leaves two grown-up children, Michael and Helen, and four grandchildren.

Irene was born in Dundee, Scotland, on November 29, 1935. She spent her youth in Scotland before taking up a teaching position in a drama school in London in her late teens - a big step at that time for a young girl. However, this ultimately shaped the rest of her life and her passion for teaching.

Having spent two years in Hong Kong with her family in the late 1960s she moved to Wellington in 1969 when her husband Keith was posted to Culmhead Radio Station.

Irene moved to Ashford Road in Wellington and with her children then at primary school started her teaching career in the area. She had many happy memories over 25 years teaching at St John’s, Beech Grove, Wellesley Park and Langford Budville.

In her later teaching years she often worked at other local schools when they were short of staff. There was always someone chatting to Irene whom she had taught and shared a fond memory.

After retiring in her late 50s she moved to Oake where she and her husband had a very enjoyable retirement. They spent many holidays exploring all corners of the world and would always encourage the family to live life to the full.

Irene died at Oaktree Court, Wellington, on January 18.