Loraine’s family story has a happy ending
A VALLEY woman has achieved her poignant objective from proceeds of her late mum’s recently published memoirs.
Loraine Platt, from
Helmshore, wrote the book during the first lockdown and has now sold enough copies to cover the cost of a headstone for brother
Clive Marshall, who died 56 years ago.
Clive William Marshall, who had Down Syndrome, was just three when he passed away in
April 1965. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Accrington Cemetery as the family could not afford a headstone.
The inscription on the new headstone reads “Cherished memories of a much-loved baby brother – Clive William Marshall – always loved, never forgotten, forever missed.” Loraine said she feels her mum Irene Marshall, who died suddenly in 1996, has now been able to provide that for her little boy.
“The purpose was not for me to be a best-seller or for me to make any money. I just wanted to sell enough to buy this headstone, in my mother’s memory,” she said.
‘Brains in your Feet’ tells the story of Irene’s career as a tap and acrobatic dancer. When having a clear out last year, Loraine discovered notes taken by Loraine’s late sister Connie, during conversations she had with her mum during the time Irene was looking after their father Robert, who had suffered a stroke.
Loraine, who lives with husband Duncan, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to all the lovely people who supported my dream by purchasing a copy of my book about my mother’s life.
“I feel that indirectly, my mother has now provided the headstone for her baby that she wasn’t in a position to do 56 years ago. I also would like to say a big thank you to Marcia at LUVINIT in Rawtenstall, who kindly sold the book for me in her beautiful gift shop on
Bank Street.
“It is thanks to the kindness of all these lovely people that I have achieved my dream of changing the unmarked grave of my little brother into a respectable and proper resting place.”
The book tells the story of Irene’s career as a dancer and especially her early days of performing in the 1930s.