Obituaries
HAZEL PILLING
HAZEL Pilling, of Lumb, Rossendale, died peacefully on Thursday, December 27, aged 87.
She was the wife of the late Frank, mum of the late Lindsay Heys and leaves her daughter Kathryn and grandsons Matthew and Ben.
She was a pupil at BRGS, a librarian and later a tax officer.
The funeral will be held on Monday, January 14, at 10.30am, at St Nicholas, Newchurch, followed by cremation at Burnley Crematorium.
Family flowers only and donations to the Calvert Trust, a special place to Hazel and Frank.
Funeral director: Alderson and Horan Funeral Services, Crawshawbooth.
TERESA WHITTAKER
MRS Teresa Whittaker, of Beech Street, Bacup, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 2, aged 90.
Born in Bacup where she lived all of her life, Teresa was a lifelong parishioner at St Mary’s RC, Bacup, and taught for most her working life at St Mary’s RC School, Bacup, and St Anselm’s RC Primary School in Whitworth.
She was a keen artist and accomplished pianist.
Widow of the late Eric, she leaves her daughter Julie and her husband Bill, daughter Elizabeth and her husband Andy, grandchildren William, Anthony and Christopher and many friends.
A service will be held at St Mary’s and St Anselm’s RC Church, Bacup on Tuesday, January 15, at 1.15pm, followed by cremation at Burnley at 2.20pm conducted by Father Chris McGrane.
Family flowers only requested with donations in lieu to Age UK.
Funeral director: Anthony Johnson Funeral Services Ltd, Bacup.
JOYCE VALENTINE
MRS Joyce Valentine nee Haworth passed away peacefully in Colton Lodges, Leeds, on Friday, December 21, aged 86.
She was the beloved wife of the late Donald Hamilton Valentine, loving mother to Jeff, mother-in-law of Jan, proud grandma to Sarah and Lucy, delighted great-grandma to Charlotte, loving sister to Doris and Ronnie and auntie to many.
She was the former mayoress of Haslingden and a lifelong member of St James Parish Church Mothers’ Union.
The funeral will be held on Friday, January 11, with a service at St James Parish Church, Haslingden, at 11.15am, followed by cremation at Accrington Crematorium officiated by Father David Stephenson.
Family flowers only and donations, if desired, to St James Parish Church.
Funeral director: Josephine Durning for Johnson, Durning and Woods Funeral Service, Haslingden.
JEAN COTHLIFF
JEAN Cothliff, of Ravencroft, Helmshore, died on Wednesday, December 26, at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 85.
Originally from Caterham, Surrey, she moved, with her family, to Rossendale in 1962.
She was the wife of the late Don and leaves her sons Paul and Andrew, daughters Donna and Suzanne, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jean was a devoted mum, grandma and great-grandma.
She got great enjoyment through reading, walking and socialising with her family and friends.
The funeral will be held on Friday, January 11, with a service at St Thomas Musbury, at 1.45pm, led by the Rev David Stephenson. This will be followed by cremation at Accrington.
Family flowers only please with donations in memory of Jean, if desired, to the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK.
Funeral director: Josephine Durning for Johnson, Durning and Woods Funeral Service, Haslingden.
WALTER RICHARDSON
MR Walter Alan Richardson, of Hardman Avenue, Rawtenstall, died on Wednesday, December 26, at Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 78.
His working life started in the cotton industry in the weaving shed. Prior to retirement, he worked at Webron.
He enjoyed music, socialising and holidays.
He was a former member of Rawtenstall Con Club.
He leaves his wife Mildred (Millie), sister-inlaw Alice, brothers-in-law Mick, Josh and Kevin, sister-in-law Liz, nephews, nieces, great-nephews, greatnieces and many friends.
The funeral service, conducted by Rev Chris Casey, and cremation will be held on Monday, January 14, at Accrington Crematorium at 11.40am.
Family flowers only or donations to Rossendale Hospice and the British Lung Foundation.
Donations can be made by visiting www. fredhamer.co.uk (tributes and donations).
Funeral director: Dawn Winfield for Fred Hamer Funeral Service.
REV ALBERT HODGE
THE Rev Albert Hodge, of Sandfield Road, Bacup, died on Thursday, December 27, at Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 78.
He was a retired clergyman, retiring from St Wilfred’s Church, Burnsall, North Yorkshire.
He enjoyed travelling to the USA and local church involvement was very important to him.
He had wife Anne Martha Hodge, children Timothy, Jane, Jonathan and Simon, grandchildren Joseph, Hannah, Emily, Holly, Callum, Brionna and Jonathan Jnr, and great-grandson Jack.
The funeral service, conducted by the Rev D Allen, will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Tunstead, Stacksteads, on Wednesday, January 23, at 10.30am, with committal at Burnley Crematorium at 12noon.
Family flowers only please, with donations requested to Parkinson’s UK or Carla Lane Animals in Need.
Funeral director: Graham Holt for Knight and Boys Funeral Service, Stacksteads.
ALEC JACKSON
MR Alec Jackson, of Olive House Residential Home, Bacup, died on Wednesday, January 2, at Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 82.
He retired from Highnet Textiles where he worked as a Cotton Finisher and also worked in the shoe industry.
When he was younger, he enjoyed racing pigeons, walking the hills with his dog and watching all sports - especially football and horse racing.
He was the husband of the late Kathleen, father of the late Clive and leaves four nieces and four nephews.
The funeral service, conducted by the Rev David Livermore, will be held at Knight and Boys Chapel of Rest on Wednesday, January 16, at 1.20pm, followed by burial at Bacup Cemetery at 2pm.
Family flowers only with donations to Rossendale Hospice.
Funeral director: Graham Holt for Knight and Boys Funeral Service, Bacup.
JIM BRELSFORD
ARRANGEMENTS have now been made for the funeral of Jim Brelsford who died in hospital after a sudden and short illness on Saturday, December 29, aged 85.
A service will be held at the Top Club, Loveclough, on Friday, January 18 at 12.30pm, followed by the burial at Rawtenstall Cemetery at 1.30pm, then returning to the Top Club for the wake and a chance to share memories and catch up with old friends.
All friends and acquaintances are more than welcome to join the family throughout or for any part of the day they choose.
Family flowers only, any donations will or can be forwarded to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), a charity which helped him on numerous occasions during his later years.
KEITH WILLACY
MR Keith Willacy, of Ambleside Avenue, died at Manchester Royal Infirmary, on Sunday, January 6, aged 69.
He worked for the Lancashire Constabulary for 30+ years.
He was an avid Blackburn Rovers fan, an enthusiastic guitar player, and in his youth, ran outdoor pursuit activities for the benefit of under privileged children.
He was a dedicated race relations officer, led domestic violence forums and various equality organisations.
As a school and youth liaison officer, he was actively inspired by children from underprivileged backgrounds.
He was also involved in the M3 Project supporting teenage homelessness.
He leaves his wife Catherine, sons Richard, Matthew, Craig and Daniel, and 13 grandchildren.
The funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed. Please contact the funeral home for details.
Donations can be made online by visiting www. fredhamer.co.uk (tributes and donations).
Funeral director: Dawn Winfield for Fred Hamer Funeral Services.