Fiona was my College Principal, Friend and my mum's BFF.

If you're here reading this, I'm sure you don't need to be told that Fiona was an incredible woman. She was full of wit and intelligence, who every-so-often would surprise me by swearing in a stronger-than-normal Scottish accent 🤣

My husband and I are taking on the 54-mile London to Brighton Bike Ride to raise funds for The Loss Foundation - the UK's only specialist cancer-loss support charity (and the charity for which I work).

Please do get in touch with me if you'd like to share your happy memories of Fiona - I'll be compiling everyone's words, photos and voice recordings for Steve - Fiona's husband.

Thank you!

Shelley x

A Few Words from Those Who Loved Fiona...

Steve - Fiona's Husband - "Husband to Fiona for 36 years, we were together for 39 years before her life was cruelly ended by cancer in March 2022. We had a happy marriage for all that time and had plans for the future, but it wasn’t to be.

One of the most striking things about Fiona was her boundless energy and enjoyment of life, she had many passions and interests, including gardening, sewing, baking, reading, making soup, making jam and marmalade, learning Italian, travel and plenty more. In later years, Fiona held down the high profile job of Principal of Fircroft College, for which she was awarded the OBE. It’s difficult to know how she also found time for the many friends she made along the way.

I miss her so very much, and I know it’s cliché to say of people who’ve passed away, that we will not see their like again, but in Fiona’s case never was that more true".

Jess - Fiona's Friend - "Fiona was the best friend a girl could ask for. She was caring, compassionate in every situation, no one will ever replace her. I went from being a student to being an employee, and during that time we developed our lovely friendship. We enjoyed many trips to the theatre and concerts. My most memorable visit to the theatre was when she took me to see The Lion King. Fiona always sat at the end of the aisle. But on this occasion, she insisted I sat at the aisle, little did I know that by sitting in the stalls, and on the end, I would be treated by the animal puppets coming right next to us on their way up to the stage.
To sum up there is one mantra that we can all take away from Fiona being in our lives and that is FKB - Fiona Knows Best. A dear, true friend, and sadly missed".

Chris - Fiona's Friend - "Fiona was a brilliant Principal, she cared for all her staff, students, governors and made Fircroft a great place to work. Staff knew she was caring, when they had problems, there was always sound advice, wise words or just a listening ear to be had.
Fiona took an interest in both my daughter’s careers, asking for updates, as she did with all the staff for family news. She gave Shelley a second chance in education which has given her a career path, firstly copywriting, presently Fundraising for The Loss Foundation.
On my retirement we both enrolled on a quilting sewing course, both becoming keen quilters, although she was usually way ahead of me and a wise head if instructions got the better of me. Nothing was too much trouble. Also retirement led to two great trips, a tour of North India and later Poland, Auschwitz, the latter one saw us stranded in Poland, with the Covid situation, but Fiona saved the day working with the hotel staff, got us on the airline. I miss her, but have good memories".

Pam - Fiona's Colleague - "She was a wonderful woman - treated everyone the same. She did an awful lot of good for any one she met - so down to earth".

Richard - Fiona's Colleague - "I was lucky enough to know Fiona and work for her when she was the principal for Fircroft College. Fiona was a big character. She was warm, funny, supportive and absolutely passionate about education. I remember Fiona as a wonderful person and her legacy is the positive and in many cases the life changing impact she had on so many people’s lives".

Sue - Fiona's Colleague - "Fiona Larden, a person who deserved so much more out of life! She gave everything and much more, in the support of others.
She was born to teach and inspire everyone around her, even when faced with challenges that seemed impossible.
Those who were touched by her, with continue her legacy, supporting others both professionally and as friends.
Her support gave others the most out of life showing them the way forward both through studies, professionally or in their personal life.
She lives on through those who were touched by her".

Sam - Fiona's Colleague - "I respected Fiona professional and personally. She believed whole heartedly in providing chances to people to use education to turn their lives around, something I shared with her.
Once Fiona was your friend she was supportive to a fault. When I experienced personal difficulties or needed someone to talk through a particularly difficult situation, I could always count on Fiona. She was there with a listening ear, quick to offer support without taking over and slow to judge. I could always rely on her in my time of need, she was so generous with her time and gave you the benefit of her experience.
I loved her zest for life and being open to new experiences. Whether it was off on holiday to far away places, expanding her quilting and patchwork skills or indulging in her love for Strictly. Fiona is very much missed member of my Sewing Saturday gatherings".

June - Fiona's Colleague - "One of the notable things about Fiona was that she was the first woman Principal of Fircroft College and came there with a real passion for education - for enabling people to change their lives. She always wanted to be involved in the teaching - she had the most amazing rapport with the students, in fact, many of them were surprised that she was the Principal because in the classroom with students she managed to create an atmosphere of trust, of respect - many of them were surprised that she was the Principal. The sheer interest that she showed when she was working with students whether it was in the classroom or outside - she made a real difference to a lot of people".

Andy - Fiona's Colleague - "As Principal of Fircroft College, Fiona was known for overseeing matters in a firm but fair manner.
Over the years there were a few managerial decisions that I believed didn’t conform to the college ethos. After making my feelings known I’d get a phone call summoning me down to her office, summoning me down to her office, I scurried down like a naughty school boy. However, after being asked to close the doors, and sit down, she’d invariably say that she totally agreed with me. So big respect and kudos for that".

Dave - Fiona's Student - "I remember the first time I met Fiona , recognising that I was Scottish we made small talk and it transpired that I'm a Rangers supporter. Fiona said "oh right that's nice" but her face told another story 😂 We would often jest with each other about Rangers latest woes and her beloved Dundee United.
Fiona was as engaging and bright as a human could be and we would often see her out walking her beautiful dog around the grounds of the college she adored.
She may have been the principal but Fiona was always determined to be involved with everyone , and to offer a great listening ear to anyone that needed it.
A wry wit and observant loving person. Fiona gave me a chance at something else , and in the words of her favourite melody makers , I would walk 500 miles to say thanks".

Yvonne - Fiona's Colleague - "Fiona was helpful to several staff members encouraging them to strive and reach goals which they didn't imagine they ever would.
Fiona was very generous in her birthday gifts to staff members, and knew how to find just the right presents to suit the individual concerned.
Fiona was extremely proud of her Scottish roots and I am extremely grateful to her for introducing me to the TV comedy Still Game, set in Scotland.
She introduced me to the cartoon family called the Broons and presented me with annuals and a cookery book and other Scottish centric things.
She was optimistic in life and was often heard to say - 'What's nay meant for ye, will nay pass you by'.
Fiona has left her mark in life and for many people (both students and staff) their lives have taken a better turn as a result of knowing Fiona".

Jennifer - Fiona's Colleague - "Fiona and I worked alongside each other as principals of the two remaining Selly Oak Colleges, Fircroft and Woodbrooke. Our responsibilities were very similar, though our client groups could not have been more different. I remember the energy and compassion Fiona put into each individual to whom Fircroft represented a second chance, and how much confidence her presence gave people. Her strength of character however was perhaps most tested, and most in evidence, on a night I will never forget.

We had been out together for pizza and a chance to offload to one another, something we did at regular intervals; and as I dropped her off at the top of the drive into Fircroft, we suddenly realised something dreadful was happening. The college was on fire; we both froze for a moment, then Fiona headed straight for the centre of events, and became the focal point for a coordinated response. She set aside her own reactions, held everyone together and made sure that vulnerable and frightened students were looked after. I am glad Woodbrooke was able to offer some immediate help and support; and I feel privileged that I was later able to share with her the intense emotion she had felt - and suppressed - on seeing the building ablaze.

Fiona was a force of nature - funny, powerful, caring and uncompromising. I was fortunate to be able to learn from her and call her a friend".