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The funeral cortege for Kathleen McMahon, who was best known as Maureen, stopped off at Carrongrange High School this morning.

A support for learning assistant, Maureen was only 64 when she died on March 8 after suffering a pulmonary embolism – a blood clot in the lung. She had been ill after contracting Covid-19.

Her death left her family and friends, along with colleagues and pupils at the Grangemouth school grief stricken.

Funeral procession for Casrrongrange staff member Maureen McMahon

A native of Camelon, Maureen lived close to the former Rossvail School and began volunteering there.

Her daughter Laura Anderson said that was where her mum discovered her love of working with children.

She said: “Mum loved being involved at Carrongrange. It held a very special place in her heart.”

Due to current rules, the service had to be restricted to family only.

Janine Proudlock, head teacher; Sara Penman 14 S3 pupil; her mum, Wendy Penman and Maureen McMahon's daughter, Laura Anderson.

But Laura, who lives in Denny, wanted to mark her mum’s bond with the school.

After a service at St Francis Xavier’s RC Church in Falkirk, the cortege drove to Grangemouth and Oxgang Road where it stopped outside the school.

S3 pupil Sara Penman, 14, handed over a wreath to Laura on behalf of the school, watched by her own mum, Wendy Penman, and head teacher Janine Proudlock.

Current guidelines mean children are not allowed to sing in school, but youngsters used Makaton to sign Reach for the Stars, a favourite song of pupils and staff.

Carrongrange High School - funeral procession for staff member Maureen McMahon

The cortege then moved off to Camelon Cemetery for a family service at the graveside.

Laura and her family have asked that anyone who wants to make a donation in her mum’s memory give it to Carrongrange High School.

She said: “We hope to be able to buy a swing for the school grounds that children in wheelchairs are able to use.”

At the time of her death a Falkirk Council spokesperson said: “Staff and pupils were saddened to hear of the death of a respected member of staff from Carrongrange High School. Kathleen (Maureen) McMahon was valued by colleagues and loved by the children and young people she supported.

Carrongrange staff member Maureen McMahon who died on March 8

"We offer our deepest sympathy to her family.”

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Grangemouth school says farewell to much-loved staff member Maureen McMahon