OBITUARIES

JEFFREY WHALLEY

MR Jeffrey Hugh Whalley, of Ashley Court, Accrington, passed away peacefully in the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Friday, February 23, aged 66.

In his early years Jeff attended Hyndburn Park Primary School before moving up to Hollins. On leaving school he played for Blackburn Rovers where he was awarded apprentice of the year.

From there he went to Sydney in Australia, where he played for South Croatia. He later returned back to England where he played for Great Harwood as well as a number of other local clubs including Ossy Immanuel.

Throughout his working life Jeff worked for various companies including XL Crisps, on the shop floor at Mullards and Matabar before going on to be a hod carrier for Barratt Homes.

In his spare time he greatly enjoyed socialising and meeting friends in The Foxhill before it closed and also most recently in the Tinker and Budget. He also loved football, golf and holidays in Spain.

Jeff sadly leaves his loving wife Sandra, his much loved brothers John and Andy, his dear sisters-in-law Janet and Lynn and brother-in-law Antony, his nieces and nephews and not forgetting his close friends Debbie and Dean.

A celebration of life service will be held at 12.20pm, on Wednesday, March 7 at Accrington Crematorium.

Family flowers only please, but donations are welcome in memory of Jeff for the East Lancashire Hospice c/o funeral director Barton and Hallworth Funeral Service, The Old Foxhill, 136-8 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.

PETER COOPER

MR Peter Anthony Cooper, formerly of Blackpool, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 21, aged 84.

The much loved dad of Clare, Richard and Katie, he was a cherished grandad, and eldest brother of Brian and Colin.

Peter became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1961 and worked as a Chartered Accountant for various firms throughout the North West. He also worked in Milan for a couple of years in the 1960s. Peter thoroughly enjoyed his work. He was an avid fisherman and spent many a day in Scotland fly fishing and was partial to the odd flutter on the horses.

He enjoyed meeting up with friends to play bridge and enjoyed a glass or two of dry white wine.

Peter was a proud family man who loved family visits and adored his grandchildren.

Peter’s funeral service took place at Accrington Crematorium on Tuesday, February 27.

Donations may be made in memory of Peter on behalf of Age UK via funeral director: Champ Funeral Services, Bank House, Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors.

SAMANTHA CLINNING

MRS Samantha Catherine Clinning, of Berkeley Crescent, Padiham, died on Sunday, February 18, aged 43.

Sam loved her job caring for others.

This is the profession that she chose as a child, Sam was a very empathetic person and everyone she cared for loved her dearly. After an injury at work, Sam chose nails and beauty as a hobby.

She enjoyed taking part in a photography course and doing arts and crafts. She also enjoyed her much loved animals and walking the dogs.

Sam had a huge collection of Hello Kitty memorabilia.

Wife of Howard, she was daughter of Kathleen and the late Harold, mother to Hope, Marley and Lennon and stepmother to Victoria and Christopher.

The funeral will take place on Friday, March 2, at Accrington Crematorium, at 11.40am.

Flowers are welcome, donations are requested for the family towards funeral costs. Please wear coloured clothes, minimal black to be worn.

Funeral director: Bertwistle’s Funeral Service.

FRED LIGHTBOWN

MR Fred Lightbown, of St Hubert’s Road, Great Harwood, died on Sunday, February 18, at Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 89.

His first job was at Rishton Paper Mill, and he also worked at English Electric/ GEC Clayton-leMoors until retirement at age 65.

Fred enjoyed walking, making wooden furniture models to scale, reading and going on holiday abroad. He was also a Blackburn Rovers fan.

He leaves his daughter Lynne, son Stephen, granddaughter Joanne, and grandsons Sean and George.

He was a husband to the late Florence.

The funeral will take place on Friday, March 9, at 10.20am, at Accrington Crematorium, conducted by the Reverend Chris Krawiel from St Bartholomew’s Church in Great Harwood, followed by cremation.

Family flowers only please, donations are requested to Macmillan Cancer Support c/o funeral director Birtwistle and Rishton Funeral Service, 29 Queen Street, Great Harwood.

BELINDA BRENNAND

MRS Belinda Brennand, of Wellfield, died on Wednesday, February 21, aged 103.

Belinda, who liked to be called Linda, entered the world on Valentine’s Day 1915, a daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas and Ellen Greenwood and later became step daughter to May Greenwood.

Brought up in Huncoat, at the age of 17 Linda lost her mother Ellen, after which she helped to support her dad and look after her brothers: John, who died at age 93, George who died aged 33 and Harold who died aged three.

While supporting her family, Linda began her working life at the Preservance Mill, in Huncoat, as a weaver when she was 14, where she earned seven shillings and sixpence a week and got one week’s holiday per year.

On September 25, 1937, Linda married her husband Wilson Brennand and continued to live with him in Huncoat, where they started a family and brought up their three children Jean, Alan and George. On becoming a mum she stayed at home to care for her family.

She helped the family finances by selling eggs and taking in sewing, hemming skirts and turning up trousers for two bob.

In 1968, the family moved from Huncoat to Hatfield Road, Accrington, a home all the family loved. Suddenly in 1984, Wilson had a stroke and sadly passed away on September 4. Linda loved the company of her family and enjoyed many days and trips out with her sons Alan and George and her daughter Jean and son-in-law Ken, whom she loved a joke with.

Linda was also very proud of her two grandsons, Andrew and his partner Julie and Mark and his partner Anthea.

She had three greatgrandchildren whom she loved dearly, Poppy and her partner Kieran, Danielle and Jack and two great, great-grandchildren Madalyn and Millicent.

Linda also looked forward to visits from her niece Sylvia. She also had four nephews and a cousin, Catherine. Linda had many friends throughout her life.

She always loved her garden and in her later years she supervised and gave instructions to Jean, Alan and George to keep it looking just as she liked it.

Linda was also a member of Huncoat Ladies Club, where she won a trophy for Dominoes.

She also won a bowling trophy, even though she did not know how to hold a wood properly. She also loved dancing and liked to dress up for the occasion.

A keen baker well into her 90s, Linda always had something to offer visitors from her cake tin. She was so good, her fruit cake won a baking competition for North West Gas, she went through to the north west regional area final where she was placed fourth and won a cookery book. She enjoyed many holidays abroad with Wilson and whilst holidaying in Malta, won a Miss Intersun competition. She wore a dress that someone must have taken a liking to as it disappeared, never to be seen again.

She also loved Benidorm, and when she was 80, decided that she did not want a party but instead went back to Benidorm with Jean.

She really enjoyed her birthday celebration there, where she sat on the balcony sharing her birthday cake, after that she was happy to go to Blackpool every year.

For her next milestone, her 90th birthday, she celebrated with her family and friends with a meal at the Sparth House.

At the age of 99, and still living independently at Hatfield Road, Linda fell and broke her arm. Shortly after this she moved into the Wellfield Care Home, where she celebrated her 100th birthday.

This was followed by a party at George’s house with family and friends. She received her treasured telegram from the Queen and read it out to everyone without the need for glasses. She received over 100 birthday cards (or Valentine’s cards as they were often referred to) and it was an amazing day.

In December last year at the age of 102, Linda fell and broke her hip and she was taken to Blackburn Royal Hospital and her hip was plated and pinned. She was very brave throughout this ordeal and remained in hospital for a week before returning to the Wellfield Care Home.

On Valentine’s day this year, Linda celebrated her final birthday at 103. Unfortunately she was not well enough to join in with her birthday celebrations and unable to eat a piece of her birthday cake.

A week later, on Wednesday, February 21, Linda passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Linda’s last words were: “I’m tired and going to sleep, goodnight, God Bless.”

The family would like to say a special thank you to Nesta management, all the staff at the Wellfield Home and the district nurse team for their care and attention shown throughout her final years.

In addition, they would like to thank Hyndburn Medical Practice for their support and care throughout her life which enabled Linda to have a long and healthy life.

Finally they would like to thank everyone who has supported Linda over the years, neighbours, friends and everyone who has visited her a Wellfield and for all kindness shown, there are too many to name, thank you all, it is very much appreciated.

The funeral will take place on Thursday, March 8, at 3pm, at Accrington Crematorium, conducted by the minister David Ireland. Family flowers only please.

Donations are requested to the Wellfield Henley Residents Fund or the British Heart Foundation c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.

IRIS HODGKINSON

MRS Iris Hodgkinson died under the tender care of Mapleford Nursing Home, on Thursday, February 15, aged 87.

Iris began her working life at Fountain Bury’s, Accrington as a weaver.

When the mills closed, Iris worked at Thornber’s Chemists, Broadway, Accrington, a job she loved.

She went on to work at the cafe in Church Street, Accrington, and ended her woking life as a personal assistant for a local company SGL Aluminium, Cedar Street, Accrington.

In her early years Irish taught as a Sunday school teacher at Huncoat Methodist Church. She also became a keen gardener and loved flowers and flower arranging.

She loved animals, especially her lovely dogs, starting with poodles, and later, Elkie her beloved Lhasa Apso, who she adored.

Iris was very much a people person, she was an excellent cook and loved making meals for friends and entertaining.

She loved her holidays, especially Cornwall, Greece and the Greek islands.

Iris married her beloved late husband Kenneth Hodgekinson in February 1953, and she was the much loved mother of Stuart and Paul.

Iris also leaves her beloved daughters-in-law Heather and Wendy, her devoted younger sister Pauline and loving brother-in-law Tony, several cousins and very many friends.

The funeral service will take place on Monday, March 5, at 1pm, at Accrington Crematorium, officiated by the Reverend Jim Henderson.

Family flowers only please but donations are welcome for PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals).

Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.

MATTHEW KELLY

MR Matthew John Kelly, of Hodder Street, Accrington, died on Sunday, February 18, aged 40.

Matthew was a heavy machine operator in the railway industry.

He enjoyed walking over the moors with his much loved dog Paddy and socialising with his wide circle of friends.

Much loved son of Michael and Janet, he was dearest brother of Jonny and his partner Desreen, uncle of Annalise and Tabetha, dear nephew of Philip and his wife Helen and their family, and also a very dear friend to many.

The funeral will take place on Wednesday, March 7, at 3pm, at Accrington Crematorium, officiated by Father Stamp.

Family flowers only please.

Donations are requested to Combat Stress (Veterans mental health charity).

Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services.

RICHARD GEORGE

MR Richard George, of Gordon Avenue, Accrington died on Friday, February 23, aged 83.

In his younger days he served time in the army and was a part-time taxi driver. He worked for most of his life after this at Hindle and Padbury with his late brotherin-law Gerald.

Richard loved to play bingo, fish and chips at the seaside, watching pantomimes, and wrestling. He always loved working and helping his family with jobs up to being 81 years old.

Richard was the husband of the late Philomena.

He leaves children Anthony, Bernadette, Vincent, Sheila, Susan, and the late Martin. He was father-in-law to Raymond, Andrew, Barbara and Angela, much loved grandad and great-grandad, dearest brother to Jean and brother-in-law to the late Gerald and June McCaffery. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.

His funeral will take place on Tuesday, March 6 at 11.40am at Accrington Crematorium, led by Mgr John Daly.

Family flowers only, donations to East Lancashire Hospice c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington.

KENNETH BLACKBURN

MR Kenneth Blackburn, of Annie Street, Accrington, died on Thursday, February 15, aged 66.

After leaving Hyndburn Park School he started work in the Co-op menswear department in Accrington and worked his way up to regional manager and London.

Later he returned to Accrington and worked for micro P in Altham, until his retirement.

Ken was an avid viewer of all sports, football in particular, and detective series.

Dearly loved dad of Natalie, respected father-in-law of Ian, cherished grandad of Jessica and Alexa, loving brother and brother-in-law of Arleen and Peter, he was dear uncle of Robin, Julie, Paul, Charlotte and Thomas.

The funeral service will take place on Friday, March 9 at 1pm, at Accrington Crematorium.

Family flowers only please.

Donations are requested to Cancer UK or East Lancashire Hospice.

Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Service.