Photo:Mike Egerton/EMPICS via Getty
Mike Egerton/EMPICS via Getty
“It is with great sadness and regret that I have to announce the sudden death of our beloved Headteacher, Mrs. Helen Smart,” Worsley Mesnes Community Primary Schoolsaid in a statement. “Our heartfelt condolences are sent to Helen’s family at this very difficult time.”
After retiring from swimming, she focused on her goal of working in education, her husband Craig Smart wrote in a comment on theschool’s Facebook post.
Helen “loved the school, staff, children and parents so much” and was “so proud” to have become a headteacher, Craig said.
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“I remember only last week she said her goal was to get the school to outstanding and that she had the right staff to achieve this! I hope you all keep learning like champions,” he wrote.
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Helen’s fellow former swimmers also mourned the loss of the competitive athlete, who they say was known for her smile.
“Helen’s steely determination and natural competitive spirit always inspired me,” Rachael Ashcrofttold Swimming.org. “We competed against each other many times but somehow it always felt like we were competing with each other, helping each other along the way.”
“Helen was such a vibrant character, always happy and a great friend and roommate,” Katy Sexton, a champion backstroker, told the organization. “She was such a dedicated athlete and had an amazing work ethic which she carried into her life outside of sport. She will be greatly missed and my biggest sympathies go to her family.”
“Please learn from this and live your best life, no regrets, take lots of photos, make memories and keep smiling just like Helen always did!” Craig wrote.
source: people.com
