VERA SMITH

MRS Vera Smith née Holland, formerly of Harwood Road, Rishton, died at Woodlands Home, Clayton-le-Moors, on Tuesday, February 2, aged 91.

She leaves brother Jack, daughter-in-law Joy, grandsons Mark and Daniel, four greatgrandchildren Elsa,

Finley, Lachlan and Rosie, along with many nephews and nieces, all of whom will miss her deeply.

She started working life in paper mills in Rishton before working as a milliner, and tried her hand at running a fish and chip shop, before retiring as dinner lady at Norden High School. She was a devoted member of the Trefoil Guild, and guiding played a pivotal moment in her life when she met her late husband Leonard, who was a Ranger.

She often talked fondly of the events and people she met during her time there.

She was also a member of St Peter and St Paul Church, Rishton. An active member of the church, she was a regular at coffee mornings and social events until she became less mobile. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with friends and family and was well known for organising large get togethers and day trips to the seaside. Together with her late husband Leonard, she would regularly visit places like the Lake District and Devon in their caravan, and treasured their holidays to the Mediterranean, often with her life-long school friend Jean, and her late husband Albert. Vera enjoyed daily walks around Rishton and was a keen crafter, and continued to make items for the local church fetes until a few years ago.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, February 24, at 12.30pm at Accrington Crematorium. Family flowers only please; donations if desired to Trefoil Guild (guiding for adults), registered charity number 1075232.

Funeral director: Birtwistle & Rishton, Great Harwood.