The fabulous and most productive life of noted educator Mrs. Frances G. Burch, MBE came to an end on Tuesday, June 2 in her 102nd year.

Born February 24, 1909 at Ely's Harbour, Somerset Frances Gertrude Simons Ratteray developed early in life, a passion for education. After graduating from the Berkeley Institute, and receiving teacher training through the Ministry of Education she entered the public school system for 29 years, teaching at both the Francis Patton and Southampton Glebe Primary schools.

Upon retiring from the public school system, Mrs. Burch entered two of Bermuda's penal institutions as an instructor imparting her knowledge to inmates at the Junior and Senior Training Schools for ten years, and earning a certificate in Rehabilitation from the Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey, England in the process.

Twice married, twice honoured by the Queen for her community services, she played her part well as one of the "first ladies" of Bermuda, being married to one of the Island's few (at that time) black Members of Parliament, Assemblyman Collingwood Burch of St. George's.

Later in life she gained a reputation as an unofficial ambassador of Bermuda, being a world traveler often with the late Dame Marjorie Bean.

Mrs. Burch received the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour in 1976 for her contribution to children in the community.

In1982, she was again honoured by the Queen, and became a Member of the British (MBE) Empire for her contributions to education, the church and community. She was a founding member of the Business and Professional Women's Association of Bermuda (BPWA), the Learning Centre for Juniors, the Kardias Club (formerly) the Alpha Wives), and the Friendship Bible Class.

"She also served the community as a member of not less than 15 clubs and organisations, including the Special Courts Panel; the Bermuda Union of Teachers and she was chairperson of the Jaycees (1966-67); the Women's Auxiliary of KEMH and volunteered as a Pink Lady for ten years at the hospital.

She was a founding member of the Business and Professional Women's Association of Bermuda (BPWA), the Learning Centre for Juniors, the Kardias Club (formerly) the Alpha Wives), and the Friendship Bible Class.

The Bermuda Chapter of BPWA was founded in 1975 through the initiatives of the late Dame Marjorie and Mrs. Burch. They were on a boat cruising to Brazil for an international women's conference, when by chance they met the President of the World Federation of Business and Professional Women. Their encounter led the then Dr. Bean upon her return to Bermuda to take steps that secured a charter and the start of the local chapter.

In 1998 the BPWA presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Mrs. Burch. At that event Miss Ruth Thomas, former Government Director of Community Affairs, made a sparkling presentation of Mrs. Burch, citing her as a phenomenal lady, extra special, refined, eloquent, and one who had inspired herself and many others when she, Miss Thomas started her own career as a fellow teacher at Francis Patton School.

Mrs. Burch responded in characteristic style, as she had done before many audiences down through the years, delighting them with her fluent, poetic quotations.

In June, 2001 she had the distinction of being inducted as an Honorary Fellow of the Bermuda College.

The mother of four children, Mrs. Burch was predeceased by younger daughter Rosalind Ratteray Williams, a charismatic community worker like her mother, who died at a young age; and son Ellsworth Ratteray who passed less than a year ago. Surviving are daughter Leonetta Blake, who resides in Florida, and Randolph Ratteray.

Funeral arrangements are being made for Thursday, June 10.