It has been a long and satisfying career and now she is looking forward to retirement and regards it as the next phase in her life.

    In over four decades, there has been a number of exciting achievements and the development in 1997 of the new purpose-built Elmbrook School, located on Derrygonnelly Road, Enniskillen, was the realisation of a long-held ambition.

    Hazel had been campaigning for a new school for years and the new establishment’s official launch in October of that year was undoubtedly a high point for the dedicated principal.

    A native of Fermanagh, Hazel, formerly Hetherington, attended Irvinestown Primary and the Collegiate Grammar Schools, before doing her teacher training in Manchester.

    She spent a year as a trainee in a hospital in Armagh and throughout her career she specifically concentrated on children with learning difficulties.

    Mrs. Lendrum returned to Fermanagh in 1961 and started a school in the Cathedral Hall, with one assistant, and seven children.

    They spent a period in the Townhall, Enniskillen, before moving to Killadeas, which had become vacant following the construction of the new Erne Hospital.

    Numbers continued to grow until there were 75 members - representative of all age groups.

    With the facility’s transfer from Health and Social Services to the Department of Education in 1987, provision for adults and children became separate. The adults were to remain with Health and Social Services.

    Hazel had been campaigning for a new school throughout her career and she was delighted to see her dream become a reality. In 1995, the Education Minister, Lord Ancram announced money for a new school.

    The building programme started in late 1995 and it was completed in 1997. The young people, aged from primary school through to 19 years, moved into Elmbrook in September of that year, and the official opening followed that October.

    She also saw the development of the school’s Hydrotherapy Pool, which was established through the help of the friends of Elmbrook who raised the necessary funds to help the project reach fruition.

    During her career, Hazel had the opportunity to attend several world conferences, and from 1997 to 1998 she was President of the Ulster Teachers’ Union.

    Now looking forward to retirement positively, Mrs. Lendrum said there comes a time when one is ready to enter another phase of their life and she feels that she has reached that stage. However, she will certainly not be too far away and she plans to keep in touch with pupils, parents and staff.

    In her leisure time, Hazel enjoys walking and swimming, as well as travel, while she gains immense pleasure in her grandchildren, Lauren and Adam.

    In fact, her granddaughter Lauren was delighted to join other family members at Elmbrook to see Hazel achieve special recognition during a presentation at the school. Also there were Hazel’s husband, Mervyn, sons, Paul and Michael, and her sister, Dorrie, and her brother, Harold and their spouses, Bertie and Pat.

    It was sad that her mother, Elizabeth, could not be there, but she was in her daughter’s thoughts and undoubtedly the family would fill her in on the special occasion afterwards.

    In Mrs. Lendrum’s honour, the young people staged a production, incorporating a version of “This Is Your Life,” while a delightful tribute poem had been specially written.

    Hazel explained afterwards that she had been totally overwhelmed by the retirement function, hosted by the school.

    She paid tribute to the efforts of the production team and she acknowledged the special needs class for portraying the catalogue of tributes in the form of verse which had been very touching.

    Mrs. Lendrum said research had been carried out to guide the pupils through “This Is Your Life.”

    She commented afterwards that this was all a surprise and it turned out to be humorous and pleasant.

    Hazel mentioned the catering department which she said as usual presented food of a high standard, while during the function, two of the staff produced a specially designed retirement cake.

    Mr. Billy McBride and students from Portora Royal School provided background music.