Selwyn Ridge Primary's passionate 'book-room lady' mourned

Kelsey Carter (left) and Selwyn Ridge Primary School Deputy Principal Tanya Healy preparing for a memorial service for Glenice Carter who died suddenly on Monday. Photo/Andrew Warner

Students and work colleagues at Selwyn Ridge Primary School are in mourning for the "passionate, caring staff member" who dedicated more than 20 years of life to reading.

Glenice Carter, who began volunteering at the school after her daughter became a foundation pupil in 1997, soon became a permanent fixture.

While officially employed as the school's resource manager, Ms Carter was affectionately known by the students as "the book-room lady".

Ms Carter died on Monday after a short, sudden illness, and a private family funeral service was held yesterday.

The school community is holding a special memorial service to honour her in the school hall today from 2.30pm, with some former pupils, staff and parents attending.

Deputy principal Tanya Healy said the whole school community was shocked and saddened, and every time she walked into the book room half expected her to be there.

"Glenice was a lovely caring lady with a huge heart. Our book room, which she created and spent countless hours resourcing, is testament to her passion and commitment.

"It's the envy of other schools across the country," she said.

Mrs Healy said Ms Carter set up all the book reference systems and always ensured everything was in "pristine state" so students and teachers could easily access books.

"Glenice was a passionate advocate for books and reading, and she dedicated thousands of hours to helping struggling readers," she said.

She also championed the causes of children who she perceived as being the "underdogs".

How much Ms Carter was loved was reflected on the windows of the school hall and the book room where students had posted messages on purple and lilac coloured hearts.

Purple was Ms Carter's favourite colour.

That included a message from one student named Lucas who wrote: "Mrs Carter liked books so much, it was like she was made of a book."

Another said:" She made my reading soar high", while student Hunter F simply wrote, "We will never forget you. You were the best. Rest in peace."

Standing in the book room Kelsey Carter, 25, said it was a fitting place to reflect on her mother's time at they school.

"Mum just loved it here. This was her second home, and she loved everything about it.

"She loved the kids. She was always bringing home their drawings, cards and letters and telling me something about the fun times she had with the children in the book room."

Ms Carter said her mother had personally colour-coded and cross-referenced all the 50,000 books in the book room for easy access for pupils and teachers.

"Mum was passionate about finding the right book for the right child, and it was very important to her to get it right. she said.

Ms Carter said it had been a huge blow to lose her mother so suddenly.

"She was the best mum you could wish for, and she was my most loyal supporter. I will miss her so much, she said

Ms Carter said she was heartened by all the "beautiful messages" of sympathy.

"It has really helped to know that my mum touched so many people's lives, and I am so grateful for all the support and love I have received," she said.