ERIC MILLS
MR Keith Rawcliffe, of Waverley Road, Accrington, died on Thursday, December 27, at Royal Blackburn Hospital, with his wife by his side, aged 70.
Keith worked as a self-employed joiner until his retirement.
He loved his holidays and had been a keen darts player.
He was the husband of Jeanne, father of Mark and David, father-in-law of Heather and Lisa, son-in-law of Dorothy, brother of Bernadette, Sandra and the late Alan, in-law of Derek, John and Stephen, Joan, Sue and John and the late Susan, grandfather to his beloved grandchildren Bel, Lena and Lukas and also leaves nephews and their children.
The funeral service was due to be held on Thursday, January 10 at 2.20pm, at Accrington Crematorium, officiated by David Ireland.
Family flowers only please, if desired, donations to Children With Cancer UK.
Funeral director: Peter Regan, Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington.
PATRICIA WATMOUGH
PATRICIA Mary Watmough passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 25, aged 80.
She was the beloved wife of the late Roy, a much-loved mum of Amanda Jayne and Roy Stuart, mother-in-law to Carina and Ian, Oma and Farmor to Meloney Jayne, Sebastian, Oliver Stuart, Elliot William and Gavin, great-grandma to Charlie Roy, sister-in-law to Valerie and aunty to Lucy and Julian.
The funeral service and committal will be held on Friday, January 18 at 10.30am at Accrington Crematorium.
Family flowers only but donations for East Lancs Hospice in Patricia’s memory if so desired.
Funeral director: Wolstenholme Funeral Service, Accrington.
JEAN MCNAMARA
MRS Jean McNamara passed away unexpectedly and suddenly at her home surrounded by her family on New Year’s Day.
In the early years of Jean’s life she was involved with the West End playgroup where she helped to take care of the children that attended.
She then moved on to work at Sprake and Ranson solicitors as a secretary and was a good mentor to her friend Janet.
Jean was devoted to her family and enjoyed many times with her husband Billy, her children Craig and Joanne and stepchildren Kevin and Bernie with fun days out and at their caravan in Morecambe, where she was the face of Ocean Edge.
She enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, cooking her famous potato hash - which she made sure everyone filled up on - playing bingo, ceramics and family days out.
Many family parties have been held, and family reunions, at the Cliffs in Blackpool which Jean loved. She was always a jovial person, bubbly and saw the best in everyone.
Nothing was ever too much for Jean and she was always willing to help anyone and be there for all her family.
She made a lasting impression on everybody she met.
She was the dearly loved wife of Billy, sister of John, auntie to Barry and Wendy, mother of Craig and Joanne, stepmother to Kevin and Bernie, grandma to Carl, Sam, Jake, Billy, Jordan and Tara, and great-grandma to Kizzie, Sienna and Mason.
She will be sadly missed by all loving family and friends.
The funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 17, at 12.20pm, at Accrington Crematorium.
Family flowers only please and donations are welcomed in memory of Jean to Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Funeral director: Oswaldtwistle Funeral Services.
FRANK WILKINSON
MR Frank Wilkinson, of Woodlands HFE, Warwick Avenue, Clayton-leMoors, died on Monday, January 7, at Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 89.
He started work as a Bevin Boy at the end of World War II, then went on to be a driver of everything from a bus to a cement mixer.
He ended up as a clerk of works for the local council.
Driving was a lifelong passion, along with railways, photography and Andre Rieu, but most of all, his family.
He was the dearly loved husband of the late Nellie, darling dad and father-inlaw of Joan and Raymond, Gail and Nev and Lesley and Eric, grandad (grumpy) of Steven, Philip and Amy and greatgrandad of Hayley and Nathan.
The funeral service, conducted by the Rev Ken Howles, and cremation will be held on Tuesday, January 15, at Accrington Crematorium at 3pm.
Family flowers only with donations to the Salvation Army or the British Heart Foundation.
Funeral director: Birtwistle and Rishton Funeral Service, Great Harwood.
JENNIE KOMAN
MRS Jennie Koman, of Milnshaw Gardens, Accrington, died on Thursday, December 27, aged 87.
After leaving school, she worked as a weaver in Helmshore, then at Woolworths in Haslingden, then at Higham’s Nuttall Street in the hemming room.
Finally as a cleaner at the college in Steiner Street, Accrington.
She enjoyed knitting and bingo and loved going to Blackpool with her best friend Joan Wade, and visiting Poland.
She was the wife of the late Szczepan and leaves sons Piotr, Stefan, Jozef, Jan, daughter Dzieni, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The funeral service, conducted by Father Stamp, will be held on Friday, January 11, at 10.30am, at St Anne’s RC Church, Cobham Road, Accrington, followed by an interment at Accrington Cemetery. Flowers are welcome. Funeral director: Peter Regan, Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington. MR Eric Mills, of Lyndon Court, Great Harwood, died on Sunday, December 30, aged 85.
After leaving school, Eric served his time as a tool maker, firstly working at English Electric in Clayton-le-Moors where he spent some time before moving to British Aerospace.
Finally, he moved to the ROF factory in Darwen, where he worked up to his retirement.
In his younger days he enjoyed playing pool at Sydney Street Working Men’s Club.
He was also a very keen golfer and was a member of both Accrington and Great Harwood Golf Clubs.
Along with his wife Joyce, he liked partaking in Crown Green Bowling and was a member of The Grange Bowling Club, Clayton.
He was an avid Accrington Stanley supporter for many years.
Most of all he loved travel, particularly cruises, his favourites being the Caribbean and the Black Sea.
He also enjoyed holidays in Spain, Lanzarote and other destinations.
Eric was the much loved husband of Joyce and the late Eileen. He was the devoted father of Alan and his wife Michelle, he was the stepfather of Nigel and his wife Michelle and Ron, a much loved grandad of David, Helen, Emma, Steven and Amber, and a great-grandad of Jayden, Charlie, Emily and James.
He also leaves a very special ex-daughter-inlaw Carole.
He will be very dearly loved and missed by his many extended family and friends.
The funeral service and cremation, conducted by the Rev Tony Webber, will be held on Friday, January 18, at 1.15pm at All Saints Church, Clayton-le-Moors followed by a committal at Accrington Crematorium.
Family flowers only please with donations welcome to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Funeral director: Peter Regan, Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington.