PUPILS have paid tribute to a beloved member of their school community.

Isobel O'Donnell was at the heart of Carmyle Primary for more than 10 years when she was suddenly diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

Although she retired due to ill health in 2014, teachers maintained strong links with her and the school has been devastated by her death last month.

Head teacher Linda Baird said: "Isobel worked in the school from 2004 to 2014 as a pupil support assistant but had started at the school as a cleaner.

"She absolutely loved the job and the children. She lived in the community and her own children had been to the school so she was very much part of things here.

"She came in to the school one day in 2013 and she was slurring her words.

"We thought she had had a mini stroke but she was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and given two years to live."

Isobel, a mum-of-two, came back to school in August 2014 after the summer holidays but there was a marked deterioration in her condition and she was struggling to walk.

The rigours of school life were too much for her and she was forced to take early retirement.

But staff kept in touch with the much-loved member of staff and made sure she new the Carmyle Primary was thinking of her.

Mrs Baird added: "Being in school is very active and physical and it was clear that it was just too much for Isobel.

"She fought really hard for two-and-a-bit years. The staff visited her at least every month. By the end she was speaking through a computer and was paralysed from the neck down but she was still able to smile.

"And that was Isobel, she was always smiling.

"At the end of school term we all went to see her at home on December 18 but then we heard she had passed away in January.

"Staff attended her funeral but we thought it was be nice to have something made that would be more permanent for her."

Carmyle Primary also had a teacher, Denise Carey, who had moved to Mount Vernon Primary School, and who died of breast cancer.

Denise's dad, Johnny, offered to make a memorial bench for Isobel, who was in her 40s.

Mrs Baird added: "Denise was a teacher who knew Isobel well and had actually brought Isobel's youngest child into primary one.

"Isobel had been away nearly three years so the youngest children don't remember her but the P4, P5, P6 and P7 were very sad to learn about her death.

"When she left the school they all sung to her at her leaving service. They sang her favourite hymn, As We Go Now, which was also sung at her funeral.

"We let the pupils know that Isobel was sick and was eventually going to get sicker. When she died we explained that she had been ill and in a lot of pain so she is happier now.

"Isobel had a lot of family in Ireland and so her husband says he loves the fact the bench is there because her family will be able to come and see it.

"Isobel loved being outdoors with the children so the bench outside is perfect for her."

Isobel was mum to Stephen and Kayleigh, who are now 18 and 21, and is also remembered by her nephew, Kobi Connolly, who is a pupil at the school.

An inscription plate on the bench will read: "Isobel loved the school, loved her colleagues and loved the children and was very happy here."

Mrs Baird added: "Carmyle is on the edge of Glasgow and it is a very, very close knit community so there are a lot of people who are very sad about Isobel.

"Her funeral was very well attended.

"The school has received a lot of cards and her family say that this support has been a great comfort to them.

"Isobel worked very closely with a a young girl called Alexandra who has cystic fibrosis and did her physiotherapy every day.

"Alexandra is now in secondary school but both her mum and her physiotherapist attended Isobel's funeral, which I think says a lot for the impact she made and how well thought of she was.

"She was held in very high esteem."