EileenWOOLMINGTONCelebrating the life of Eileen Woolmington who passed away 6 November 2025. Eileen was born in London in 1932 but had close connections with West Cornwall from a very young age. She was an accomplished pianist and violinist before attending an eminent teacher training college in Hertfordshire. After graduating she accepted teaching assignments in Essex but was determined to fulfill her ambitions and relocate to Cornwall. In January 1959 she took up a teaching post with St Mary's Catholic School in Penzance. Long before the benefits were widely acknowledged Eileen held an intense strategy that music and theatrical involvement were important in general academic achievement and character building, for the transition of young people into adulthood. She was also committed to conserving the rich Cornish heritage and reviving the traditional festivals, events and parades which had ceased or declined following the depletion of the mining communities. Groups of pupils from St Mary's School frequently gave concerts and were seen singing and dancing at festivals and parades with Eileen narrating, joining in and playing music. In the early days Eileen purchased her own van and with the support of parents and school authorities she transported pupils to events across Cornwall. Eileen tackled everything with enthusiasm and the children were eager to take an active part. Her remarkable infectious energy, positive attitude and wisdom inspired everybody. Under Eileen's direction, the St Mary's school orchestra was celebrated as exceptionally elite and they travelled to London for national TV appearances. In 1987 she was awarded a bardship by the Cornish Gorsedh to mark her meritorious work for services to music in education and in the Cornish community. For many years Eileen was a musician with the long-established Penzance Orchestral Society and the Cornwall Chamber Orchestra. She played the organ at church services in Penzance and St Just. She was a prominent figure in the community, respected for her tireless charitable support and campaigns to eliminate social inequality and hardship. She had a deep religious faith and she considered it perfectly natural to assist people in distress. Such a generous person with her time and love. Somehow she also found time to promote other subjects close to her heart, animal welfare, nature reserves, wildlife and wildflower protection and conserving ancient sites. She will be fondly missed but her dedicated contribution to Cornish society will continue to be remembered for what she left behind and to benefit future generations. She told everybody how lucky she was to live such a beautiful life in such a beautiful place.
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