ALISON KNAPPER
ALICE Armitage, of Oswaldtwistle, died on Saturday, April 8, peacefully in hospital with her family by her side, aged 77.
The devoted mum of David and Shirley, she was dear mother-in-law of David, Dee and Ian, cherished gran of James and Rebecca, greatgrandma of Alfie and a dear friend to many.
A hard working and well respected lady who worked as a weaver in the mills of Oswaldtwistle and Blackburn, she spent many years at Edgar Davies’s Primrose Mill and finally retired from Rists Wires, Accrington.
Alice was an avid reader and always found time each day to settle in to her favourite armchair to read her latest book.
She was a keen gardener who could often be found pruning her garden which always displayed an array of beautiful colour throughout the seasons.
Alice always put others before herself and was always keen to lend a helping hand to her many friends and neighbours. She always looked forward to family visits from both her children and grandchildren.
Alice will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
Her funeral ceremony followed by cremation will take place at Accrington Crematorium on Friday, April 21 at 11am.
Family flowers only please by request.
Donations may be made in memory of Alice on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support c/o ALISON Knapper nee Kendall died suddenly, with her family around her, on Saturday, April 8, in Carlisle Hospital, aged 43.
Beloved and precious daughter of David and the late Eileen, she was much loved sister of Paul and sister-in-law of Vanessa, special auntie of Jacob and Devon, dearly loved stepdaughter of Kate and an amazing friend to countless others.
Reposing in Langshaws Chapel of Rest.
A service and cremation witll take place at Accrington Crematorium, on Wednesday, April 26 at 2.30pm.
The dress code is ‘very informal’.
Family flowers only please, donations in memory of Alison may be given to the British Heart Foundation, Children with Leukaemia and/or Ribble Valley Breast Friends.
Funeral director: Langshaw Calvery Funeral Directors, Whalley.
LYNNE BOOTH
MRS Lynne Margaret Booth, of Manchester Road, Accrington, died on Monday, April 10, aged 67.
She was a teacher of special needs children at Newfield Special School in Blackburn.
Lynne was a member of Trinity Community Church and Fellowship, a follower of Accrington Stanley, and part of Angelman Syndrome Support Group.
She was a toddler group volunteer and a lifelong member of the Accrington Carnegie Library.
She leaves her husband Michael David Booth and daughters Melanie Jean Riding (nee Booth) and Stephanie Kate Booth.
Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 26 at 10.15am, at Trinity Community Church, Accrington, conducted by the Minister Matt Allan, followed by cremation at Accrington Crematorium at 11.40am.
Family flowers only please, and donations in lieu to East Lancashire Hospice, Macmillan and Assert Angelman Syndrome Support c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Service, Queens Road, Accrington.
JOHN LORD COLLINGE
MR John Lord Collinge, of Highfield Hall, Haslingden and formerly of Maudsley Street and Plantation Road, Accrington, died peacefully at Highfield Hall on Wednesday, April 12, aged 96.
Jack, as he was known, was born on October 31, 1920 and was one of eight children. He went to the then central school until he was 14.
He started work at the Broadoak and trained to be a dryer of cloth.
When World War 2 broke out Jack was 18 and he joined the RAF as a groundsman from 1930 to 1946. In 1941 he married his sweetheart Mary Livesey and has two daughters Ann and Jean.
In 1946 he returned to Broadoak and worked there for many years. He had a great interest in horse racing and in his later years worked on the racetracks as a bookies runner.
His wife Mary died in 1997.
He was a family man and enjoyed being involved with his family. He lived independently up until the last year of his life
He leaves one sister Eunice, his two daughters Ann and husband John and Jean (widowed), eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and five great, greatgrandchildren.
He will be sadly missed by family and friends.
His funeral will take place on Friday, April 28 at 11am at Hyndburn Chapel of Rest, Queens Road, Accrington, conducted by the minister David Ireland, followed by burial at Accrington Cemetery at 11.30am.
Family flowers welcome.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
MARY TAGGART
MRS Mary Taggart, of Derby Street, Accrington, died on Wednesday, April 12, aged 83.
Mary was born and brought up in Belfast.
After leaving school she went to work in the local mills as a weaver where she spent several years.
She then moved to live in Germany with her husband who was serving in the British Army but returned to Belfast a few years later.
The family moved and settled in Accrington in 1970 and Mary began work as a factory supervisor at Fibreglass Laminates Factory in the area.
She remained in this employment for a few years up to taking early retirement. She loved her holidays, especially to Rome and back to her native Belfast.
She liked doing handicrafts, particularly knitting and crocheting, and enjoyed listening to Irish music and watching John Wayne films on TV.
She also liked doing crosswords.
Wife of the late Robert, mother of Philomena, Michael, Bobby and the late Bernadette, she leaves grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, April 27 at 10.15am, at St Joseph’s RC Church, Accrington, conducted by Fr Simon Stamp, followed by burial at Accrington Cemetery, Burnley Road, Accrington.
Family flowers welcome.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
THOMAS BALMER
MR Thomas Balmer, of Buckingham Grove, Accrington, died suddenly at home on Thursday, April 13, aged 65.
In his early years Thomas attended St Paul’s Primary School followed by St Thomas’ Secondary School in his home town of Belfast.
Throughout his life he had a great love for music and was a founder member of the legendary Northern Soul Movement in the North West, and whilst working as a DJ for Radio Stoke on Saturday Nights he was known for playing tracks from his beloved Northern Soul.
He also loved spending time socialising with his family and friends as well as going on holiday to Portugal and was a devoted football fan of Glasgow Celtic.
Thomas was the dearly loved brother of Brian, Billy, Letitia, Gemma, Collette and Brenda as well as a dear uncle.
He will be very sadly missed by all his loving family and friends.
A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Joseph’s RC Church, Accrington at 10am on Tuesday, April 25, prior to committal at Accrington Crematorium.
Flowers welcome but if preferred donations to any children’s charity are being received in lieu of flowers, further enquiries please to Paul Barton at Barton & Hallworth Funeral Service, The Old Foxhill, 136 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.
AUDREY GRIGGS
MRS Audrey Jean Griggs, of Richmond Hill Street, Accrington, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 7 at home, aged 84.
Audrey was born in Ramsgate, Kent where she spent most of her childhood. It was there she met John, her late husband. She married John at Cannon Street Baptist Church. Prior to her retirement she worked as a cook in a probation hostel for 25 years.
Knitting was her main hobby and she was well known for her Aran knits. Audrey also enjoyed holidays and days out.
Wife of the late John Griggs and sister of the late Joyce, Bill, Alan and Eileen, Audrey leaves son John, daughter Pamela, daughter-in-law Gen, and sister Brenda. She was a well loved grandma and great-grandma, auntie, sister-in-law and friend to many.
Her funeral.followed by cremation will be held at 10.20am on Friday, April 21 at Accrington Crematorium, officiated by Ken Howles.
Family flowers only with donations to Lancashire and South Cumbria KPA.
Funeral director: Wolstenholme Funeral Service.
DOROTHY DAWSON
MRS Dorothy Dawson, of Turnpike Grove, West End, Oswaldtwistle, died on Monday, April 17, at home, aged 85.
Upon leaving school Dorothy started work as an accounts supervisor at Crown Paints where she worked until 1963.
She worked at the family business, a working dairy farm and milk round until retirement.
She was a member of the Women’s Institute.
In her spare time she enjoyed reading and spending time with her family.
She leaves daughters Christine and Helen, sons-in-law Geoff and Mick, and was the devoted grandma of Steph, Nic, Vic, Chris and Dan. She was also the dearly-loved sister of Phyllis, Marilyn and sisterin-law to Fred, Val and Jim and the special friend of Herb.
Her funeral service will take place at 11.15am on Friday, April 28, at Accrington Crematorium, prior to cremation.
Family flowers only please, however donations, if desired, to Derian House.
Funeral director: Oswaldtwistle Funeral Services.