FAMILY members yesterday paid their respects at the funeral of a woman thought to be one of Oxford’s oldest teachers.

A horse-drawn hearse was part of the procession to St Nicholas Church in Old Marston, for Carol Tasker’s final journey.

Mrs Tasker passed away on May 31, aged 103, in the Isis Care Home in Cornwallis Road, Oxford.

She lived in Old Marston for more than 60 years and taught upholstery at what is now the City of Oxford College for some 35 years.

A long-time teacher, she started late, aged 49, but in 1994 reluctantly retired when college officials realised she was 84.

And even after that she continued to teach at West and North Oxford community centres until 2004.

She was also a member of Old Marston’s Over-50s group.

Mrs Tasker’s husband George died in 2000.

She is survived by her two sons, Alan and Kenneth, two daughters, Judith and Carolyn, nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Churchwarden Geoff Hale said: “It was a great service and very well attended. I would say we had more than 100 people, so we were pretty full.

“Mrs Tasker’s family made some very moving tributes to her and spoke about her long life and all the things she had done.

“She was a real character in the village, so lots of people knew her.”

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