My friend Larry Rudling, who has died aged 71 of pancreatic cancer, was a teacher and administrator in adult education, notably in Devon.
Larry (Larraine) was born in West Bromwich in the West Midlands, to Kay (nee Herrick), a nurse, and her husband, Denis Jones, a car factory panel beater. She went to John Wilmott grammar school in Sutton Coldfield, followed by teacher training at Bedford College of Education, with geography her main subject, and then a BEd at Girton College, Cambridge.
Her working career began in 1973 as a geography teacher at Wellfield secondary modern school in Leyland, Lancashire, before in 1976 she transferred to adult education by becoming a tutor at Beauchamp College in Oadby, Leicestershire. Later she switched into an office role at the college, providing administrative support to adult education teachers.
In 1979 Larry moved to Totnes, in Devon, to take up a post as head of adult education for the Totnes area at Devon county council, helping to create a vibrant community of teachers and learners that was second to none in the south-west of England.
After five years there, Larry set up Bishopsteignton House, near Teignmouth, as a residential adult education centre. When her two business partners suffered ill health three years later, the project closed down, and she returned to Devon county council, where, among other things, she developed an access to the arts course aimed at helping adults into higher education.
Larry retired in 2000 and with her husband, Laurie Rudling, a teacher, whom she had married in 1987, moved to Norwich. There she relished going to concerts, the theatre, art galleries and the bird lands of Norfolk, while also taking frequent trips to Orkney and France.
Despite being diagnosed with MS in her late 20s, Larry spent 28 years in full-time public service. She rose above her condition to the point where it was easy to forget her physical dependence on her mobility scooter and her sticks. Immaculately turned out and ever-cheerful, she was always ready for the next concert, theatre trip, archaeological visit or restaurant meal. She raised the spirits of all who met her.
Larry is survived by Laurie and by her brother Matthew.
