Mourners say final goodbye to Burton teacher with 'big heart and zest for life'

Her funeral today was packed to the rafters

Friends and colleagues of a Burton teacher have paid their final respects to a "fiesty but loyal" woman with a "big heart and zest for life".

Loved ones gathered at Bretby Crematorium for the funeral of Sonia Andjelkovic, a retired teacher at The de Ferrers Academy, who represented the Eton Ward on East Staffordshire Borough Council. She died suddenly on January 24.

At her funeral this afternoon, February 14, there was barely standing room left as those who knew her said their final goodbyes.

The service was led by Dawn Charles, of the Community Church, in Stapenhill, where Councillor Andjelkovic was an member.

Ms Charles said: "She was a friend, teacher, auntie and niece, but to all of us, she was an inspiration."

She told how the 55-year-old was born in Leicester, but spent her whole life in Burton.

Her parents came to England from the former Yugoslavia after the Second World War.

The congregation heard how her mum died when she was nine and her extended family became all the more important to her.

Councillor Andjelkovic went to Wulfric Comprehensive School, which later became The de Ferrers Academy.

In 1986, she returned as a teacher, working there 33 years before retiring in September 2019.

She studied at Oxford University, but her dad died during her studies and she came back to Burton to teach.

Friend and colleague Judith Hancock told the funeral how they started at the school together and "clicked instantly", sharing a love of work and helping to educate young people.

She said: "Sonia was a remarkable person and best friend.

"We envied her patience and marvelous ability to work with students who were struggling.

"She was caring, compassionate and kind to all the students.

"She had an uncanny knack of being able to connect with people.

"Despite some difficulties, she said it was the best job ever and if she had the chance, she'd do it all again.

"I'm honoured to have been Sonia's friend for 33 years.

"She was fiesty, never a pushover, but loyal and had such a big heart and zest for life."

Mourners heard how she worked tirelessly for her community - including being a governor at nearby schools and working with charities such as Sarac, which supports victims of sexual abuse in East Staffordshire - as well as being a union representative.

In 2007 she became a councillor on East Staffordshire Borough Council.

Ms Charles reminisced with mourners how she had a saying: "Always be brave and have a go because you never know".

Andy O'Brien, chief executive of the council, told how she would often ask "do you mind if I ask a stupid question?".

He said she was that dedicated she had been a member of practically every committee.

He said: "She was a thoughtful and caring councillor. Sonia will be sorely missed by the council."

Friend Rebecca Howarth told the congregation Councillor Andjelkovic became like a mother to her as she offered her "so much patience, kindness and love".

She said: "She never once let me down.

"She helped me grow and make wiser choices.

"It's hard to condense 30 years of love and friendship."

Ms Charles said, in the end, Councillor Andjelkovic was put in an induced coma and knew there was a chance she would not wake up.

She said: "She was not scared, as Sonia said she knew where she was going.

"For 40 years she'd followed God and knew he'd be there to welcome her with open arms."

The service ended with As You Are by Rag 'n' Bone Man, one of her favourite songs.