A FORMER schools inspector and college principal who was awarded the CBE for her services to education, has died at the age of 79.

Mollie Pearson Abbott, who hailed from Scotland but had lived in Grange-over-Sands since 2000, where she worked in Hampsfell Hospice shop and captained Grange Fell Golf Club, died in Westmorland General Hospital after a period of ill health.

Miss Abbott had enjoyed an outstanding career in education, which began with her teaching and lecturing in physical education. After a ten-year stint working for Her Majesty's Inspectorate in Scotland, she took the helm of Dunfermline College (1970-83) where she proved a distinguished and charismatic leader, introducing degrees, courses and extending the curriculum.

A well-attended humanist service, held in Carlisle, saw friends and family pay tribute to a "warm, generous and humorous" woman with "undoubted strength and fortitude".

She is survived by her civil partner Dr Jean Carroll.