Family pay its tribute to grandma found dead
THE family of a grandmother who was murdered in Heywood have spoken of their devastation following the death of the ‘most gentle and kind person you could hope to meet’.
Police launched a murder inquiry after Linda Parker, 51, was found dead at her home on Atholl Drive, on the Darnhill estate, on Monday afternoon.
Today (Thursday) her four children paid an emotional their mum.
In a statement they said: “Linda was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend. She could often be seen walking her small dog Toby, who she loved very much.
“She was the most gentle and kind person you could hope to meet, a big softie who loved her family so much.
“We’re devastated that she has been taken from us before her time, in such an unspeakable way. We’d like to thank our family, friends and the community for all of tribute to their love and support.
“We will miss our mum forever. We’ll keep her alive in our hearts.
“As a family we would request privacy during this very difficult time.”
Earlier this week friends and neighbours also paid tribute to Linda.
Writing on Facebook Carol Millar said: “Devastated and heart broken. Gonna miss you so much, Linda. My best friend forever. R.I.P xx.”
Cath Eastham wrote: “RIP Linda, can’t believe you have gone, fly high hun xxxxx.”
Matty Parker wrote: “R.I.P lovely woman. And her son was a good school friend, terrible news.”
Neighbour Jackie Wilson, 52, said: “We’re devastated. She was so nice, polite and friendly although she did really keep herself to herself in the neighbourhood. But when we spoke she was always really nice to get on with.”
Another neighbour added: “We are just devastated. She was a really lovely woman. She was really well-known in the area and had lived here all her life. Her family’s well-known too, it’s very, very sad.”
Glenn Gibbons, 51, of Bingley Square, Rochdale, has been charged with murder in connection with Linda’s death.