A POPULAR Teignmouth teaching assistant has died from motor neurone disease at the age of 52.

Katy Jones was a higher level teaching assistant at Our Lady & St Patrick’s School for nine years, before taking on a similar role at Bishopsteignton School in 2014.

’Katy was a very special person. She threw herself wholeheartedly into everything, supporting extra curricula activities such as choir and after school clubs. She cared deeply about the children in her care and very many of them remember her with affection,’ said sister Maria.

’She was incredibly courageous about her condition, insisting that she was going to live with motor neurone disease, rather than feel that she was dying from it; and remained positive throughout her illness.

’Katy was very well loved; she made friends wherever she went and touched many people’s lives. She will be sadly missed by friends and family alike.’

The youngest of Jan and Steve Hiscoe’s five children, she attended OLSP’s, Cuthbert Mayne School in Torquay, and Teignmouth Grammar School.

Katy worked at the Ministry of Defence in Exeter, where she met her future husband Mark Jones. His job took them to Germany, where they spent many happy years with their children, Megan, now 20, and Rhys, 21.

As teenagers her children became involved with the local swimming club, which then became an important part of her life. Katy spent many hours supporting the club, eventually training as a swimming coach.

Her family are keen to raise awareness of the ’dreadful disease’, which took her so quickly. They are planning to raise as much money as possible for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, as Katy received so much help and support from them.

Our Lady and St Patrick School will be holding a special assembly on Thursday to celebrate Katy’s life with  bright colours being worn to symbolise her happy personality. Her funeral will take place at the same time at the Catholic Church in Teignmouth, followed by cremation at Torquay.