OBITUARIES
KATHLEEN HODGSON
PEACEFULLY in hospital on Saturday, March 23, Kathleen Winifred aged 82, of Clayton-le-Moors.
The devoted wife of the late Derek, much loved mum of Stephen, James, Catherine and the late John, dear mother-in-law to Wendy, Lynn and Gill, cherished granny of Lucy, Peter, Mark, Bobby, Rikki, Laura, Lisa, Andrew, Cerrie, Kira and a loving great-gran.
Former school secretary Kathleen worked in many local primary schools.
A lifelong Burnley Football club supporter and season ticket holder, she always looked forward to attending matches both home and away.
A keen historian, Kathleen gave her time following her retirement as a volunteer at Whalley Abbey where she worked on the reception welcoming the steady footfall of visitors and she was also secretary for the friends of Whalley Abbey Fellowship.
Kathleen loved to travel with Guernsey her favourite destination.
A devoted family lady and proud granny, Kathleen always looked forward to getting the family together for a celebration.
Kathleen’s funeral service will take place at All Saints Church, Clayton-le-Moors on Tuesday, April 2, at 10.30am followed by interment at Dill Hall Cemetery.
Family flowers only please and donations to Cancer Research UK via www.champfunerals.com/obituaries.
Funeral director: Champ Funeral Services, Bank House, Whalley Road, Claytonle-Moors, Accrington.
MAUREEN BARON
MRS Maureen Baron died on Thursday, March 21, aged 80.
She was a financial controller at FJ Riley Snooker and Billiards Accrington and Padiham.
In her spare time she enjoyed cooking, spending time with family, music and dancing.
Wife of the late Thomas, she leaves son Paul, daughter Lyn, grandchildren Deanne, Jenna, Karen and Keely and great-grandchildren Amy, Charlie, Miley and bump.
The funeral service was due to be held on Thursday, March 28, at 10.30am at Hyndburn Funeral Services Chapel of Rest, Queens Road, Accrington followed by a burial at Dill Hall Cemetery, conducted by Fr McLaughlin.
Family flowers only please, donations are requested to the North West Air Ambulance.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
RITA OWEN
RITA Owen, of Oswaldtwistle, died on Tuesday, March 19, aged 85.
Rita was a finisher at a printworks - Ward Knowles in Accrington.
She was a supporter of Bleakhouse Animal Sanctuary, was an avid traveller and an expert at cryptic crosswords.
Rita loved her grandchildren, taught adult literacy and supported Meals on Wheels.
She was a much loved wife of the late Cyril Owen, adored mum of Julie, Clive and the late David Trevor, beloved grandmother of Luke and Beth, a loved sister, mother-in-law, aunt and friend to many.
Family flowers only please, donations to Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary c/o Hyndburn Funeral Services, Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.
PHILIP RILEY
MR Philip Riley, of Willow Brook, Accrington, died suddenly at home on Thursday, March 14, aged 59.
Philip was a much loved dad to Emma and Sophie and grandad to Alissa and George.
He was a dearly loved son of the late Tommy and Ella, a loving brother to Ronnie, Shirley, Brenda, Mavis, Thomas, Donna and the late Arthur and all their respective partners.
He will also be sadly missed by all his nephews, nieces, family and friends.
Philip started his working life at Stanhill Ring Mill in Oswaldtwistle.
He went on to work for several other companies, including Moseley Bakery in Accrington where he worked with his father.
He had a long and happy working life before he had to take early retirement due to ill health.
Philip loved his holidays, especially ones with family, and he loved to socialise with his many friends.
He was an avid Manchester United fan all of his life and loved playing football when he was younger as a goalkeeper for Whinney Hill.
Philip loved all music, especially Queen, who he saw live on numerous occasions. He also loved going sea fishing and enjoyed a flutter on the horses.
Over the last few years Philip enjoyed being a volunteer at both the Heart Foundation and Sense shops in Accrington.
Philip’s funeral service will be held at Accrington Crematorium on Wednesday, April 3 at 1pm.
Family flowers only please, with donations to the British Heart Foundation, c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
MARY DEAN
MRS Mary Dean, formerly of Lupin Close, Accrington, sadly passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 16, aged 89, at Springhill Care Home where she had resided happily for the last three years.
Mary had been a shop assistant and cafe waitress working at Clayton Laundry in the 1950s, dinner lady at Huncoat Primary School and St John’s Primary School in the 1960s, Lomax Cafe in Accrington Market Hall in the 1970s, Greggs Bakery in the 1980s and finally at Audrey’s Cheese stall in the Accrington Market Hall.
Mary was at her happiest working in the Market Hall, especially Lomax Cafe where she was constantly made fun of by the naughty, boisterous butcher lads who she loved to banter with, but Mary gave as good as she got!
She had been a member of Cambridge Street Methodist Church for over 30 years and attended church every Sunday.
Mary enjoyed playing dominoes every Thursday at Cambridge Street and up until her mobility got the better of her she would meet up with several lovely friends every Tuesday morning and go on an organised walk.
For many years Mary would walk up to the top of the Coppice several times a week with her husband Ted and her two girls and then her grandson.
Born in Millom, Cumbria, she was the sister of Marian and the late Peggy and Marjorie.
She was the beloved wife of the late Edward (Ted) and the adored mum to her loving daughter Annette and the late Elaine, the much loved and adored mother-in-law of Brian, the treasured and much loved grandma of Paul and his fiancee Sarah, adored great-grandma to Rease and Shane and their partners Fran and Kinga and the cherished great, great-grandma of Logan.
Mary will be sadly missed by all her family and many friends who she made laugh with her very dry wit!
She loved to go away on holiday and although she shared many lovely holidays with Ted and her girls to Morecambe, Wales and Millom, she also shared many wonderful holidays with her three sisters venturing to Guernsey, Paris and Spain.
Mary loved to socialise and this reflected in Springhill Care Home where she enjoyed the activities and mixing with the other residents, making a number of good friends and delighting the staff with her no-nonsense attitude and hilarious sense of humour and always taking the time to ask how people were with genuine interest.
Mary will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
The funeral took place on Wednesday, March 27 at Cambridge Street Methodist Church followed by cremation at Accrington, conducted by the minister Rev Rick Ormrod.
Donations if desired are requested to Cambridge Street Methodist Church.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
EDWARD ROY CHETHAM
PEACEFULLY at his home on Thursday, March 21, Roy aged 71, of Huncoat.
The much loved dad of Andrea and the late Andrew, dear father-inlaw of James and Anita, cherished grandad of Katie and Mackenzie, and dearest friend to Jean and her daughter Julie.
Roy was a civil servant and took early retirement at the age of 50.
Local weatherman for the Accrington Observer, Roy was also chairman of Huncoat Community Forum.
Roy had his very own weather station at his home and his own weather website.
He was also a model railway enthusiast with the most amazing set up in his loft.
Many hours were spent creating model railways and they were often featured in magazines and attracted a lot of attention from other enthusiasts.
A keen walker and walking leader, Roy walked most of the hills and mountains of Great Britain and Europe with his walking group ‘Roy’s Roams’.
Roy had fantastic organisational skills and devoted his life to others.
He never judged anyone and would help anyone. A true gentleman.
Roy’s funeral service will be held at Accrington Crematorium, Burnley Road, Accrington, on Monday, April 1, at 3pm. Family flowers only. Donations may be made in memory of Roy to Macmillan Cancer Support, East Lancashire Hospice and Marie Curie via www. champfunerals.com/ obituaries
Funeral director: Champ Funeral Services, Bank House, Whalley Road, Claytonle-Moors, Accrington.
EDNA BRADSHAW
ON Sunday, March 24, peacefully in Henley House and of Accrington, Edna aged 97.
The dearly beloved wife of the late Alan, devoted mother of Geoff and the late Gillian.
Also a much loved grandma of Stuart and Catherine and greatgrandma of Niamh and Freyja.
A funeral service will take place on Tuesday, April 2 at Cambridge Street Methodist Church at 1pm followed by a burial in Accrington Cemetery. Family flowers only please.
Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
RICHARD ABBOTT
MR Richard Abbott went peacefully on Saturday, March 2.
A dearly loved husband of Mildred Abbott, he was a much loved father of Wendy and son-in-law Peter and a devoted and loving grandad of Graham, Liam and Louise.
Richard will be sadly missed and forever in our hearts.
The funeral was held on Wednesday, March 13, at Accrington Crematorium, Burnley Road.
Donations in Richard’s memory can be made to the British Heart Foundation, if desired.
Funeral director: William Holt, of Ladybell Funeral Service, 52 Broadway, Accrington.
JOHN (BRIAN) DALY
BORN on July 26, 1930 at The Moorlands Maternity Home, in Rawtenstall, Mr John (Brian) Daly passed away on Monday, February 25 at 88 years of age.
Much loved and sorely missed, John is survived by his son Christopher, daughter Sara ( Jacqueline), four grandchildren, and a step-granddaughter from his second marriage.
He also leaves nine great-grandchildren.
John was an Accrington man who lived in Rossendale and worked as a psychiatric charge nurse at Rossendale General Hospital over many years.
He was a keen CB radio follower, and loved to have many projects on the go, all the time.
He was buried at Dill Hall Cemetery, Accrington on Monday, March 11.
Donations were made to the Alzheimer’s Society.
God Speed Dad!