Tributes to retired Hampshire teacher who has died at 82

Roy Perry has led tributes to retired teacher Veronica Perry, who is the mother of Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes.

Mr Perry - former leader of Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council - told the Echo: "I have lost the love of my life. We met at grammar school nearly 70 years ago.

"We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in 2018 and were beginning to hope we might make our diamond wedding anniversary.

"I could not have had a better life partner, mother to my two daughters and friend."

Mr Perry said his wife had been unwell for the past two or three months, but despite "numerous hospital and GP appointments" and "great care" from NHS staff, no clear diagnosis had been given. In 2023, she underwent a successful heart bypass operation.

Veronica Perry meeting The Pope (Image: Supplied) Veronica was a supporter of her husband and daughter in their political careers, Mr Perry said.

She was a member of Wellow Parish Council for a number of years and served as chairman in the 1990s.

Veronica was also the head of modern languages at the Woolston School in Southampton before she retired.

She had two great loves in her life aside from her family – French culture and horses.

She particularly loved when the family had a farmhouse in the Vendee in western France.

Most weekends were spent with their ponies at Pony Club activities.

Her daughters and two granddaughters, including one who lives in Florida, USA, had no choice but to maintain the love of all things equestrian.