URSULA DICKINSON

WE are sad to announce the death of Ursula Dickinson, nee Raabe, of Kingston Crescent, Helmshore, on Saturday, November 20.

Ursula passed away at home, after a short illness, at the age of 97.

Loving and adored wife of the late Leonard, loving mother and mother-inlaw of Paul, Pat, Peter and Janice, loving grandmother of Matthew, Oliver and the late Luke, and loving greatgrandmother of Hannah, Jessica, Hollie, Eve and Bethany.

Born in Germany, in 1924, Ursula was a Red Cross nurse during the Second World War and met Len in Germany, where he was serving with the British Forces as a tank driver. After marrying in December 1947, they came to England and lived in Accrington, later moving to Haslingden and, finally, in 1971, to Kingston Crescent, Helmshore, where they both lived the rest of their lives.

After a variety of jobs in textile mills, Ursula qualified as a cook and had a spell at Stonefold Primary, before becoming Head Cook at Hillside Road Nursery, where she spent many happy years until her retirement.

Ursula loved travelling, whether through her frequent visits to see family in Germany, where she is survived by her remaining sister, Elfriede and too many nephews, nieces and their descendants to mention, or holidays to Spain with Leonard and, subsequently, Elfriede.

Ursula also loved socialising and was a member of the I.D.L. Club in Haslingden, which proved an invaluable asset in her later years, particularly her last 10 years as a widow, by providing the bingo, pensioners’ club, and as a meeting place to maintain and extend the friendships that meant so much to her.

The funeral service is due to be held at St Thomas,’ Musbury Helmshore, on Friday, December 10, at 1.45pm, followed by committal at Accrington Crematorium, at 3pm. Family flowers only, please, with donations welcomed for The Raft Foundation, Haslingden either direct, or to the funeral director Caroline HoldenDewhurst for Johnson, Durning and Woods, Haslingden.