A former teacher who showed immense bravery during unrest in Cyprus in the 1950s died after 17 falls at home left her with several injuries. 

An inquest into the death of Tessa Larke, of Daffodil Close, Cringleford, heard that the retired primary school teacher fell down the stairs on March 20. 

It was another fall in a series that had happened in the weeks leading up to the 85-year-old's death, Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard. 

In a statement provided to the coroner, husband Richard Larke described how he had initially respected her wishes to not call an ambulance. 

The following morning, when she was still unable to move properly, paramedics were called, and she was taken to hospital. 

A scan showed many fractures, including several ribs, two arm fractures, and her pelvis, and some internal bleeding.

She later died at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on April 15, after contracting pneumonia. 

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Larke described how his wife had been offered a degree placement with Oxford University but decided to decline it shortly before becoming a stay-at-home mother to their son, Thomas, in 1974. 

The court also heard how she had displayed bravery during the 1950s during the so-called Cyprus Emergency, when Greek Cypriot nationalists began an armed campaign to end British colonial rule and achieve unification with Greece.

She remained stoic throughout her life as she lived with permanent physical pain caused by a horse-riding injury during her early 20s. 

READ MORE: To read all obituaries and tributes join the Facebook group Norfolk's Loved & Lost.

Tessa Ivy Larke was born on December 31, 1938, in Norwich. 

She married Richard Larke, a finance officer, on March 26, 1964. They welcomed their son ten years later. 

Mrs Larke worked as a primary school teacher for more than 25 years, including teaching children with special needs. 

Together the couple enjoyed playing tennis as members of a club, boating, dancing and dining at social and work events, and holidays abroad. 

Mrs Larke was also a self-confessed "book worm and a life-long user of the library". She was also involved with heritage group the Yarmouth Society. 

Area coroner Yvonne Blake recorded that her death was a result of an accident.