Jacquline Cowie (1942-2021), popular and long serving primary school teacher in Southampton
With a teaching career solely in Southampton, spanning over 40 years, Jacquline ‘Jackie’ Mary Cowie (nee Simpson) was a well-known and much-loved teacher who has helped educate many of Southampton’s children. Sadly Jackie passed away peacefully on the 20th of March aged 78 after a short battle with a rare form of cancer. Mrs Cowie, as she will be remembered in the classroom, was a meticulous teacher who taught at a number of the cities primary schools. In a teaching career starting out at Wildground Junior School in the late 60’s, Jackie continued to share her passion for art and teaching at a host of schools including Hollybrook, Portswood, Aldermoor and St Marks. Art was her first love and this was no better illustrated than by her highly acclaimed displays of her pupils artwork in the school’s tent at the Southampton Show on the Common in the 1970’s and 80’s.
Schooled locally at St Annes, she initially pursued a career in banking that saw her work at the Midland Bank, Below Bar where she was actively involved in the finances of some of the major shipping lines in Southampton. A move to London soon followed with one of her St Annes school friends as they settled in Primrose Hill with Jackie working at the foreign office. In the mid 60s Jackie returned to Southampton and embarked on a teacher training course at La Sainte Union College of Higher Education. On qualification, she began her career as a primary school teacher at Wildground Junior School as Miss Simpson and soon became Mrs Cowie with her marriage to Donald in 1967.
Having dedicated her working life to teaching children in Southampton, Jackie was always reminded of her good work especially in retirement. A trip to the supermarket or a visit to West Quay would always result in former pupils stopping Jackie in her tracks to share their own story of their life. She always enjoyed hearing how they were doing, especially the naughty ones!
Her passion for teaching continued long after her official retirement age, with Jackie continuing to teach on a supply basis into her 70s - mixing with children and teachers kept her feeling young! Outside of the classroom Jackie had a passion for family, friends, gardening, her Mazda Mx-5, travel and fashion - immaculately dressed with an extensive collection of shoes, Jackie was an elegant lady. In retirement Jackie was happiest while she was traveling through South Africa with Donald, a trip they had taken numerous times, driving across vast landscapes. Jackie was also passionate about her local area and was an active committee member of the East Bassett Residents Association. As well as helping to maintain the character of Bassett, Jackie also took it upon herself to house and feed the local hedgehogs, who were daily visitors to her garden.
Jackie passed away peacefully at home. This was made possible by the incredible support she received from the At Home Care Team at the Countess Mountbatten Hospice, Westside Community Nursing Team, Emergency Services and the carers from Newcross Healthcare. Their kindness will be forever remembered and appreciated by Jackie’s family. She is survived by her husband and son.
Messages and donations to Mountbatten Hampshire can be made via this page or can be sent
c/o J. Lawrence & Sons (Undertakers) Ltd., 17, St. Denys Road, Portswood, Southampton. SO17 2GN.
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