EILEEN WILKINSON

EILEEN was born and raised in Accrington, the eldest of four children.

She attended St Oswald’s School in the Parish of the Sacred

Heart; she was always proud of being School Captain. She was a keen swimmer in her youth.

She left school at 14 and started work at Woolworths, she also did some summer work in Blackpool before the lure of better paid work drew her to the mills.

She worked at John Warburtons, Highams, and Gerone Freres as a weaver for many years.

She was also a domestic at the Hyndburn Centre before retirement.

Eileen married the late Albert in 1955. Albert sadly passed away at the tender age of 53 in 1985.

They enjoyed many holidays to Blackpool, and then Spain. She was a devout Catholic and for many years was an active member of the parish of St Annes, undertaking flower arrangements for the Alter. She also enjoyed the social aspect of the Parish and was a member of St Anne’s Ladies Group, and the Friendship Club.

She also visited Lourdes with the parish. As well as flower arranging, Eileen enjoyed walking with friends and the Ramblers.

She was a member of Oakhill Park Crown Green Bowling Club.

She loved dancing, and in her younger days she would go to the Accrington Con Club. She also enjoyed line dancing, and was a member of the Accrington Applejacks, travelling with them to Benidorm for winter competitions. Eileen had many friends and often socialised and holidayed with them over the years.

She enjoyed a special companionship with Harold Jones.

She leaves a son Peter and daughter-in-law Julie, granddaughter Claire and her husband Nicolas, great-grandchildren Noah, Inès, and Mathieu, sister Maureen and brother Tony, also her late sister Patricia.

She died peacefully on Friday, February 11 at Pendle Community Hospital, after a long illness, at the age of 90.

Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington.