Tributes have been paid to a "beautiful" wife and "dedicated" teacher from Sunderland who tragically passed away just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.
Carolyn Murray received the shock diagnosis on Christmas Eve and died more than two weeks later on January 10 at the age of 57 leaving her family and friends devastated.
Born and raised in Sunderland, Carolyn started her teaching career at Thorney Close Primary School before moving to East Herrington Primary Academy.
Go here for more Sunderland news and updates from Sunderland Live
She then took up the position of deputy headteacher at Eppleton Academy Primary School before spending seven years as the school's headteacher.
Her husband Graeme Murray has since paid tribute to the much-loved wife and mum saying she was "beautiful inside and out".
Graeme said: "She had a beautiful smile and when she put her hand on my face and smiled I would do anything for her.
"She was beautiful inside and out."
Carolyn previously worked at Joplings before studying a teaching degree at Sunderland University and a master's degree at Newcastle University.
But it was soon clear to many that the former Southmoor Academy pupil was born to teach and she became an encouraging and supportive figure in the lives of countless children.
And in 2017, Carolyn moved to Cumbria to take up a headteacher role in Carlisle.
Graeme said: "For her, it was all about the children. She always put the children above policies, it was the children that mattered, she loved them.
"And the children adored her too. We were given a beautiful memory box filled with lots of cards from her current school.
"One said: 'To Mrs Murray's friends and family we're sorry for your great loss. The Lord needed a headteacher so he chose the best.'
"We already have so many cards and flowers in the house, we've just been overwhelmed by the messages.
"Carolyn liked to be in charge, she did like to be in control but she liked to release control to others to allow them to develop. She was really encouraging and extremely dedicated."
Carolyn's cancer diagnosis came as a huge shock to the whole family but despite everything, she always stayed positive.
Graeme said: "Our understanding was that there was going to be a course of treatment but it caught everyone by surprise.
"It still hasn't really sunk in properly, it's only been a few weeks since she passed away.
"I wanted to take her hand and encourage her but she felt like she wanted to encourage me.
"Some may say she was stubborn but she had a very positive outlook."
The dedicated teacher had lots of hobbies and interests and was known for the colour pink.
Her husband continued: "Carolyn was very active, she liked to keep fit. We were both big music lovers and we loved to binge our shows.
"She loved her cruises too we had two planned for this year.
"She loved reading, she was literacy coordinator in her early days so we used to call her the literacy queen. She was known for the colour pink too.
"The first Christmas we were together I made a challenge to get her something pink each year!"
But her biggest role in life was that of being a mum to Eve, Ruth, Miriam, and step-son Philip as well as being a grandmother to grandson Roman.
Graeme added: "She would go to any lengths to look after them and provide for them and she was firm when she needed to be firm.
"She would do anything for them."
He added: "Her memory and legacy lives on in our family, and in the many, many lives she has touched over the years, especially through her years in the teaching profession."
Paying tribute to Carolyn on its Facebook page, Eppleton Academy Primary School said: "On behalf of Eppleton Academy Primary, we wish to express our sympathies for the sad passing of Mrs Murray.
"Mrs Murray was a huge part of Eppleton for quite some time.
"We send our love to her family. Best wishes, Governors, Staff & Pupils."
