OBITUARIES
BRIAN MAYERS
MR Brian Mayers, formerly of The Cooperage, Oswaldtwistle, died peacefully in Vine House on Wednesday, June 29, aged 89.
Brian was a true gentleman and a good friend to many.
In his younger days he loved to play cricket and golf, later on in life he took pleasure in going on holiday and spending time with his loving family. Throughout his life Brian was a hard worker.
It was in 1962, along with his late wife Maureen that Brian moved to Oswaldtwistle to take up the post of public health inspector in the town.
Later, when the district councils were all merged to form what is now known as Hyndburn, Brian was appointed to deputy environmental health officer, a post he held up until his retirement.
Brian was also a loyal member of many clubs including Church and Oswaldtwistle Rotary for 50 years and St Aidan Freemasons Lodge for 41 years. He also served as a sides-person and a church warden for many years at St Paul’s Church, Oswaldtwistle and was also a committed school governor, and served as chairman at St Paul’s C of E Primary School.
During the past few years as Brian’s health deteriorated he moved into Vine House where he was looked after with care and kindness. He will be sadly missed by both the staff and the residents.
Brian was a much loved and respected father of Christine and Ray, Judith, Philip and Jackie.
A treasured grandfather of Paul and Andrew, Amanda and Ben, Christian and the late Emma and Kieran, he was also a loving greatgrandfather to Niamh and Martha.
His funeral service was held on Wednesday, July 6 at St Paul’s Church, Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle, prior to committal at Accrington Crematorium.
Donations are welcomed in memory of Brian for St Paul’s Church.
Funeral director: Paul Barton at Barton and Hallworth Funeral Service, Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.
●● SEE tribute on page 17.
ANDREW DARMODY
MR Andrew James Darmody, of Miller Fold Avenue, Accrington, died peacefully in the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Thursday, June 30, aged 43.
During his working life Andrew was a metal polisher in Poole, Dorset and then later on up north, here in Oswaldtwistle.
In his spare time Andrew took pleasure in going fishing and was a member of a fishing and poultry club.
He loved nothing better than working on his allotment, especially looking after his poultry. He also enjoyed watching football and was a keen Liverpool fan.
Andrew sadly leaves his dearly loved wife Gail, his treasured children Dione, Carl, Ryan, Amy and Siana, his cherished grandchildren Tee Jay and Noah, his much loved parents Maurice and Irene and his dear in-laws Christine and Robert, his beloved sister Katherine, brother Paul and their partners Darren and Marie, his loving grandad Jim and also his many nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends.
Andrew will be very sadly missed by all his loving family and friends.
His funeral service was due to be held at 11.40am on Thursday, July 7 at Accrington Crematorium.
Donations are welcomed in memory of Andrew for the Lymphoma Association c/o funeral director Barton and Hallworth Funeral Service, Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.
MURIEL AULD
MRS Muriel Auld, of Hazeldene Care Home, Blackburn – formerly of Garden Street, Accrington – passed away on Friday, July 1, aged 93.
She was a secretary in a family coal merchant business, and owner of Harrison’s Winemakers Stores, Accrington prior to her retirement in 1987.
A regular member of Whalley Road United Reform Church, she enjoyed cruises and visiting foreign countries after her retirement.
She enjoyed walking in the country and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Wife of the late Bill and mother to Jean and Bill, she was mother-in-law to Mel and Pauline, grandma to Rachel, Sarah, Daniel and Anna, great-grandma to Lottie, Bea, Wilson, Izzy, Ronan, May, Barney and Rex.
Her funeral service will be held at 11.30am on Monday, July 11, at Whalley Road United Reform Church, Accrington, administered by Rev Ron Lewis, followed by cremation at 12.20pm at Accrington Crematorium. Family flowers only by request please, however donations, if desired, requested in remembrance of Muriel to Cancer Research UK c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queen’s Road, Accrington.
EVELYN EVANS
MRS Evelyn Evans, of Hollin Bank House, Oswaldtwistle – formerly of John Street, Church – passed away on Sunday, June 26, aged 76.
When Evelyn left school she worked in a solicitor’s office for a number of years. After having her family she worked as a production worker at Joseph Arnold’s Co. Ltd from where she retired.
Evelyn liked to socialise and enjoyed reading and watching television. She was a member of the Inskip League. She also enjoyed holidays both here and abroad. Evelyn was very family-orientated and loved having her grandchildren with her.
Dearest wife of the late Ralph, she was dearlyloved mother of Julie, Susan, Raymond and Elaine, much-loved sister of Audrey, a fondly-loved grandma and greatgrandma.
Her funeral service will be held at 1pm on Tuesday, July 12, at Accrington Crematorium, administered by Angela Riding, followed by cremation.
Family flowers only by request, however donations, if desired, requested for Stroke Association c/o Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queen’s Road, Accrington.
HARRY BOYS
MR Harry Boys, of Pinewood Drive, Accrington, passed away on Friday, July 1, aged 85.
Harry was a farmer for most of his working life, at Hapton, near Burnley. He also part-owned The Womble Inn cooked chicken and meats shop in Accrington and another at the Arndale Centre in Keighley.
Harry was an avid Burnley Football Club supporter through childhood and manhood. He also enjoyed and played snooker and golf. In addition to playing sports, he enjoyed having a flutter on the horses.
He was a long-standing member of Bold Street Working Men’s Club and the Dyers and Finishers WMC.
Father of the late Stephen, and Howard, he leaves wife Marion, daughter-in-law Lynda, grandchildren Anthony and Kieran, together with great-grandchildren Caine and Chloe.
His funeral service will be held at 3pm on Tuesday, July 12, at Accrington Crematorium, administered by Rev Philip Norris, followed by cremation.
Family flowers only by request please, however donations, if desired, requested for Cancer Research Fund c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queen’s Road, Accrington.
JEAN STANLEY
MRS Jean Stanley – née Wood – of Milnshaw Gardens, Accrington, died on Wednesday, June 29, aged 68.
After attending Mount Pleasant School, Claytonle-Moors, Jean worked for a number of years at Broadleys Printers. She then married, before having a daughter and becoming a housewife.
Jean enjoyed family holidays abroad, with the cine club and then also holidays with the grandchildren in later years. Her hobbies were reading, socialising, dancing and playing bingo at Milnshaw Gardens.
The much-loved mother of Dawn, she was a devoted grandma to Liam and Ella.
Her funeral service will be held at 3pm on Wednesday, July 13, at Accrington Crematorium, followed by cremation.
Family flowers only by request please, however donations, if desired, requested for Macmillan Nurses c/o Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queen’s Road, Accrington.
MARGARET LITTLE
MRS Margaret Little, of Banbury Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 29 at Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 86.
She was a member of St Mary’s RC Church, Oswaldtwistle, St Mary’s Ladies and St Anne’s Friendship Club.
Margaret enjoyed reading and holidays abroad, helping out at St Mary’s Senior Citizens Club.
Loving wife to the late Geoffrey, she was mum to Christine and Stephen, mother-in-law to Nick and Fionna, grandma to Kirsty, Sam, Josh, Charlotte and Ashleigh, and a greatgrandmother.
Her funeral service will be held on Monday, July 11 at 10am at St Mary’s RC, Oswaldtwistle, officiated by John Daly, followed by committal at Accrington Crematorium.
Family flowers with donations requested to St Mary’s Church and the Air Ambulance.
Funeral director: Wolstenholme Funeral Service.
FLORRIE FARNWORTH
MRS Florrie Farnworth, from Burnley, died peacefully on Sunday, June 26, at Palace House, Burnley.
Loving wife of the late Geoffrey, she was loving mother to Geoffrey Peter, David and Ann and their families.
Her funeral followed by cremation will be held on Tuesday, July 12 at 10.20am at Accrington Crematorium officiated by Judith Talbot.
Family flowers only with donations requested to Dementia UK or Macmillan Cancer Support.
Funeral director: Wolstenholme Funeral Service
NORMAN HEYS
MR Norman Heys, of Cherry Tree Lodge Residential Home, Rawtenstall, died at the home on Thursday, June 30, aged 91.
He was in the Navy during the Second World War and was mentioned in dispatches. He was also a painter and decorator with his son Chris.
An avid gardener, if he wasn’t working he was in his garden. He loved the countryside and his holidays to Devon and Cornwall and the Lake District. He enjoyed spending time with his family.
Beloved husband of the late Vera, he was dearly loved dad of Sandra, Chris and Michael, dear father-in-law and much-loved grandad of Claire, Christopher, Jane and Declan, and greatgrandad of Imogen and Rory.
His funeral will be held at 2pm on Friday, July 15 at St John’s Church, Baxenden, officiated by Stephen Brown.
Family flowers only with donations requested to Dementia UK c/o funeral director Wolstenholme Funeral Service.
DOREEN GORDON
MRS Doreen Mary Gordon, of Belvedere Care Home, Wellington Street, Accrington, died at the home on Saturday, July 2, aged 79.
She was a bus conductor in the 1960s, worked in milk delivery in the 1980s, and employed at Brooke Bond Oxo in the 1990s.
Her hobbies included dog walking, gardening and fishing.
She leaves daughters Terry and Carole, grandsons Daniel and Matthew and sons-in-law Andy and Chris.
Her funeral followed by cremation will be held at 10.20am on Friday, July 8 at Accrington Crematorium, officiated by Ken Howles.
Family flowers only with donations requested for Dementia UK c/o funeral director Wolstenholme Funeral Service.
PETER CLEARY
MR Peter Cleary, of Orchard Street, Great Harwood, died peacefully at home on Sunday, July 3, aged 31.
During his life Peter lived a varied life and liked to spend his time helping out and volunteering at the Mobility Shop in the Arndale Centre in Accrington.
He was also a member of the Peter Pan Club at the Poplar Club, Accrington.
At home he enjoyed playing on his Xbox and watching Wrestling and Knight Rider on TV.
He also took pleasure in going on holiday to Blackpool along with his partner Jackie and socialising with his friends.
Peter sadly leaves behind his much loved mum Heather and dad Jeff, his dearly loved brothers Johnathan and Daniel, his beloved partner Jackie, his dear nephews Cameron and Lucas, his dear niece Emma and also his many loving aunties, uncles and cousins.
He was also a good friend to many.
A celebration of life service will take place at 3pm on Thursday, July 14 at Accrington Crematorium. The family have kindly asked for people to come dressed in denim and/or bright colours.
Family flowers only please but donations are welcomed in memory of Peter for the British Heart Foundation.
Further enquiries please to Barton and Hallworth Funeral Service, Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.