Born in Edinburgh on 26 July 1954, Caroline Anne Wheatcroft, née Pavely, lived a life characterised by dance, creativity and caring for other people. Known affectionately as “twinkle toes” by her father, on leaving Didcot Grammar School she attended the Royal Ballet School in London, training to be a teacher. Following a period touring Europe, she subsequently moved back to Scotland where she established ‘The Pavely School of Dancing’, which had several bases across Livingston. During this time, she met her lifelong love George. They married on 12 July 1980 in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near her family home in Wallingford. George’s work eventually led the couple to settle in Park Street, to the dismay of many in the dance community in Scotland. It was here she re-established her school, continuing to teach many people to dance, giving a good number their first experience of highly creative staged productions. Many of her former pupils went on to be successful within their chosen field of work, buoyed by the confidence that she helped develop.

It was during this time that she also began to volunteer for Park Street C of E Primary School as a parent-helper, eventually becoming employed as a teaching assistant. She remained a popular member of staff until her final short illness prevented her from working. Within the time she volunteered at the school she was forced by medical complications in her foot to stop dancing and to sell her school. She continued to find opportunities for creativity in her work at Park Street School, sharing jokes with the children and always maintaining a sunny disposition. It was in this period that a persistent cough developed, which was ultimately diagnosed as Primary Immunodeficiency Syndrome (PID), a condition she managed for the remainder of her life.

Keen to provide support for her children in their study and early professional life, Caroline took on part time work at Aylett Nurseries. Her good nature and sense of fun continued to shine through in this new setting, sharing good rapport with both staff and customers alike.

Outside of her working life, Caroline thrived by being in community with other people. For several years she danced with the Cottonmill Clog Morris side, adjudicated local athletics meets as a qualified UK field official, and regularly attended church at Spicer Street Evangelical Church, and then Marshalswick Church (now Ridgeway Church) before returning to worship in St Albans city centre. In the village of Park Street, she knew a great many residents, regularly seeking to provide help and support for her immediate neighbours. She ensured her dance medleys, both in Scotland and Park Street, always raised money for good causes, including individuals in need and well-known charities. Her generosity was unabated until the end, insisting on purchasing her granddaughter’s first pair of shoes the week before she was admitted to hospital. Throughout her final days she continued to love everyone “to bits.”

Now firmly held in the loving arms of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, she is survived by George, her children Sarah and Andrew and her grandchildren Emily-Jane and Aidan.