Irene Sutch

Irene Sutch of Laburnum Drive, Oswaldtwistle died peacefully in the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Friday, August, 15, 2014, aged 89 years.

Irene was born and spent all of her childhood in Leyland.  She was the second of five children of Ted and Edith Carlton.  On leaving school Irene worked at a cotton mill and in her early working days met George her childhood sweetheart and later they married.  She also worked for Leyland Rubber Works making hoses for gas masks before moving to Dick Kerrs in Preston making aircraft parts.  In 1950 Irene moved to Accrington where she ran a Fish & Chip Shop on Pendle Street until 1969.  After selling the shop she went to work at Rists Wires & Cables as a car harness assembler until her retirement in 1983.

She attended St Peter’s Church in Accrington before attending St Paul’s Church in Oswaldtwistle; she was also a keen member of the Mother’s Union.

Irene greatly enjoyed going dancing with her late husband George several times a week at the Poplar Club and Accrington Old Band Club.  She also took pleasure in going to Bingo with St Mary’s ladies at Lock Street and at Springhill Community Centre.  Irene and George had a caravan for many years and travelled all over the country.  They also enjoyed going on holiday Brian and Elaine, in particular to Cyprus and Benidorm but her most memorable trip was to Hawaii.

She loved to read but her deteriorating eyesight meant she had to listen to talking books from the library and the talking newspaper from Accrington Blind Society.

Irene was a much loved wife of the late George, a treasured mother of Sheila and Brian, a dear mother in law to David and Elaine, a beloved Grandma of Amanda, Paula and Phillip, a cherished great grandma of Ryan, Kyle and Kieron and a devoted sister of Laura.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2014, at 1.15pm at St Paul’s Church, Oswaldtwistle prior to cremation at Accrington Crematorium.  Family flowers only please but donations in lieu of flowers are welcome in memory of Irene for the North West Air Ambulance c/o Barton & Hallworth Funeral Service, The Old Foxhill, 136 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle. Tel: 01254 390542.