Beloved teacher dies suddenly after she recuperates from Covid

The staff, learners, and parents of Potchefstroom Central School (PCS) are heartbroken after they have received the devasting news that one of their loving teachers, Lynette Lensley, died of cardiac arrest last Thursday (19 August) while she was recovering from Covid-19.

According to one of her friends and fellow teachers at PCS, Elmarie Engles, Lynette contracted Covid-19 almost three months ago and was hospitalised in Potchefstroom. “She was released on 8 July and her health was approving. We were so happy and relieved. Later, she struggled to breathe and her doctor determined that she suffered tracheal stenosis. It can develop when scar tissue forms in a person’s trachea due to prolonged intubation — when a breathing tube is inserted into the trachea to help maintain breathing”, says Elmarie.

Lynette was staying with her mother, Kay Webber, in Pretoria and was supposed to receive several procedures to open her trachea. “The first two procedures went very well according to her doctor. She was supposed to receive another procedure on Monday (23 August) but again had breathing difficulties last Thursday morning. Her mother called the ambulance to fetch her but later her heart just stopped” says Elmarie heartbroken.

“Mrs Lensley is gone to soon,” says two close friends and colleagues, Jody Killassy and Cathy Prior. According to them, she joined the Central family as a Grade 4 teacher in 2013. In her last years at PCS Lynette not only taught, computer lessons to all the learners from Grade 1 – 7, but she touched the lives of every child who set foot in her classroom. “She always knew how to cheer us up,” quoted one of her learners. “She was remarkable, she smiled every day,” another learner said.

She was also a supervising teacher at the hostel for many years and treated the boarders as if they were her own.  The expression, “home away from home” became a reality with a caring teacher like Mrs Lensley as a “hostel Mother.”

“As an active member of the Potchefstroom community, Lynette’s acts of kindness rippled through the town. No matter how busy she was, she always offered up her time. Lynette spent many years taking various people to have their eyes tested and collect their spectacles. A small act that changed the lives of others and in her own unique way she made the world a better place”, says Jody.

According to her friends and colleagues, Lynette had a heart of gold; no task was too great or insignificant. Everyone whose paths crossed with Lynette’s will attest that she lived to serve those around her. A true Central teacher, living by the school’s motto; “I Serve”.

“Mrs. Lynette Lensley, our dear colleague, genuine friend, and caring teacher, you will remain in our hearts forever. The world has lost an amazing soul. Our heartfelt condolences to her mom, Kay, daughter, Tanya, family, and friends. Thank you for sharing Lynette with us”,  says Jody on behalf of the school. Lynette leaves behind her mother, Kay Webber (77), a brother and sister, her daughter, Tanya Keating (30), her son-in-law, and two grandchildren. More information on Lynette Lensley’s Remembrance service will be announced later.