Widely respected Flinders University educator Dr Clare McCarty has died suddenly after a short illness.

Clare regarded herself as a born teacher and distinguished herself from her earliest days as a passionate advocate for equality, equity and social justice.

A graduate of Kings College, London, she went on to teach English and Drama in the UK and Uganda and acted in several stage productions, before marrying Douglas and choosing to return to his home of Australia where they had a daughter, Rosa.

Clare maintained her passion for education, variously working at The Parks Community Education Centre, Sturt College, and Thebarton, Oakbank, Glenunga, Norwood-Morialta and Unley high schools.

Her activism saw her elected Vice-President and later President of what was then the SA Institute of Teachers, Deputy President of the federal Australian Education Union, the first female President of the United Trades and Labour Council of SA and an executive member of the ACTU.

Clare completed her PhD on creativity, neuroscience and teaching practice, and was in the process of writing a book on educational creativity encapsulating her 50 years of teaching experience.

Her most recent work as the School of Education’s Director of First Year Studies endeared her to a very large number of students through the special programs she designed and the support she both coordinated and provided first-hand.

As she put it in a letter to a friend “I’ve had one child but many hundreds of children have been, and still are, a great part of my life as students.  I have done nothing for personal gain but always for principles so I’m without monetary wealth but rich, I like to think(!), in experience.”

Her energy and drive to contribute saw her elected by her fellow academics to represent them on the Flinders University Council from 2013 until a few weeks ago.

Executive Dean of Education Professor Richard Maltby says the University has lost a highly valued and esteemed educator.

“Clare’s brilliance, her energy, her passion and her unquenchable dedication to her students inspired us all. We have lost a dear and loyal friend and colleague” Professor Maltby says.

“I am sure that you all join me in sending our deepest condolences to Douglas and daughter Rosa.”

Clare’s funeral service will be held on Tuesday, 28 June, at 3.00 pm at the Heysen Chapel, Centennial Park Cemetery.