Funeral of ‘oldest shop worker’ Irene
THE funeral has taken place of an ‘inspiring’ woman who won government praise and was thought to be the country’s oldest shop worker.
Irene Astbury, 97, was well known in Macclesfield for her role at Pet Food Supplies, on Moss Lane, which she still held last year.
She passed away last month at St Stephen’s care home, Elworth, and her funeral took place at St James
Church, in Sutton. Pet Food Supplies was set up by Irene’s late husband Les in 1981 and she would still catch the bus to work there alongside her family more than 40 years later.
Her jobs included pricing up and dealing with invoices.
Then Minister for Employment Guy Opperman MP visited the store last year and spoke with Irene.
Afterwards he said: “It was fantastic to speak to Irene who is inspiring younger generations of the benefits working can bring you, as well as an employer who values the benefits of an age inclusive workforce.
“I was amazed to see Irene’s continued enthusiasm which shows that age is no barrier to pursuing work and can bring benefits far beyond the financial element.”
Les had set up the shop realising a long held dream having worked for Spratt’s dog
food when a former laundrette unit became available.
He sadly passed away in 2007.
Speaking in 2022, Irene told of her desire to keep working.
She said: “What else would I do? You can’t sit at home all day. I keep them in order.
“I enjoy being around everyone and seeing the customers some of them have been coming in a long time.”
See the full obituary for Irene on the right.