The service, for Linda Lennox, saw the main hall of the church filled with her family and friends, as well as hundreds of former pupils and colleagues of the Lord Grey deputy head last week.

Mrs Lennox had died at Milton Keynes Hospital on April 20, after contracting C Diff.

She had been admitted to the hospital with a resurgence of the ovarian cancer she had battled for four years. An inquest into the teacher's death was opened soon after.

One of Mrs Lennox's former pupils, Rebecca Lamberton, attended the memorial. She said: "What a beautiful service in memory of Linda. She will be missed by all the past and present Lord Grey students."

The Rev Mindy Bell led the service which included many personal and poignant tributes through readings, poems and songs. The ceremony concluded with the Lord Grey school choir who sang the Mariah Carey hit Hero.

Mrs Lennox's daughter, Kathryn, said: "My mum was the most amazingly unselfish person and a brilliant mother. She was my best friend as well as my mum. She was always putting her kids and family first, and was a ball of energy and made everything fun."

"She was also a fantastic, inspirational teacher and loved the kids she taught.

"She used to really enjoy her job and it made a difference to her when the kids did well. She was also a huge campaigner against bullying and refused to tolerate it. She really is going to leave a huge gap in all of our lives."