Proud legacy of Erica, 54

COLLEGE legacy . . . Erica Lewis who has died aged 54

Tributes to woman who shaped Oldham Sixth Form College

A FORMER deputy principal of Oldham Sixth Form College who played a key role in its development, has died.

Erica Lewis, who lived in Greenfield while working at the college, fought a long battle with cancer. She was 54.

Mrs Lewis was one of the original members of the senior management team who opened the college in 1992.

She joined as an assistant principal and within a year had become vice principal with responsibility for finance and helped develop a robust financial system.

Mrs Lewis then became deputy principal in 2000, and played a key role in the creation of the Duncan Lawton Building before leaving in 2002 and moving to France.

A college spokeswoman said: “The building of this in two phases was Erica’s project and it demanded creativity, foresight and a great deal of nerve. Construction projects in those days were fraught with financial risk.

“Erica’s legacy can be seen not only in the architecture of the building but also in the considerable financial benefit it brought the college and the opportunities it has offered to thousands of our students.

“This combination of creativity and forensic attention to detail was her hallmark.

“She will be very greatly missed and we extend our sympathies and thoughts to her loved ones.”