Tributes have been pouring in for a former Blackburn teacher who is recovering from heart surgery – and she has a surprising sporting background.

Marlene Devine worked at St Wilfrid’s School in, as head of the PE department,  for 35 years.

Aged 89, she had surgery on a valve in her heart.

To cheer her up during her recovery her cleaner and friend, Rachel Hayes, asked her former pupils to post messages and memories about her. The post was flooded with more than 170 messages.

Rachel said: “I started as a cleaner for Marlene, three years ago. She’s become a really good friend.

“She lost her husband around four years ago and she’s had a really hard time lately.

"She has had to have major heart surgery. I thought I would reach out to see if any of her former pupils wanted to send her a message and the response has been overwhelming.

“She is so funny and up for a laugh. She’s always there to help me too.”

Some of Marlene’s former pupils have left kind words and stories for her.

Judith Smith said: “I went to St Wilfrid’s from 1973-1979. I remember Mrs Devine very well. I was in the netball team and was a keen swimmer. Happy memories. I was Judith Wilson then. Get well soon.”

Mandy Fletcher said: “She was a good friend of my nans, Elsie Davis. Taught us netball and told me off when I asked to leave the team.”

Annette Upton said: “Hi Mrs Devine, I remember you.

Marlene, third left, with the East Lancashire squash team at the Banbury finalMarlene, third left, with the East Lancashire squash team at the Banbury final (Image: NQ)

“I attended St Wilfrid’s from 1969 to 1974, you were the best PE teacher. I was never a sporty type but you once told me that we are all good at something.”

Graham Braithwaite said: “Of course I remember her! Please send my very best wishes. She is a proper St Wilfrid’s legend.”

Another said: “I was called Della Godfrey and was at St Wilfrid’s from 1974-1979. You took the girls to Wimbledon when Jimmy Conners and Chris Evert won the championship.

“My sister, Ann Godfrey, was in the All England Netball team that won in 1969 and the team photo used to hang in reception at the school. Happy 90th birthday, thank you for your time at the school and take care.”

Marlene, from Blackburn, said she loved her time working at St Wilfrid’s and has thanked former pupils for their kind messages.

Marlene DevineMarlene Devine (Image: NQ)

She said: “Rachel sorted this for me and I thought it was lovely. I had an operation on my heart but I am getting better from that.

“Rachel read one or two messages out to me and I thought it was lovely. It’s lovely to hear and it’s so nice that they remember me.

“The messages cheered me up and I would like to read more of them and see how many names I can remember.

“I loved working at St Wilfrid’s. The children there were absolutely lovely and the school did well at sports.”

Marlene, who was named Blackburn’s first ever Sports Personality of the Year 1969, has led an active life and has several sporting achievements under her belt.

She played Netball for England, between 1959 and 1963. junior Wimbledon.

Tennis was also coming into Marlene’s life and she became a talented player, appearing at junior Wimbledon and represented Lancashire in competitions.

She said: “I have done a lot of sports. It’s kept me active and I have enjoyed every minute.”