Anita MargaretGRAHAMpassed away peacefully after a long illness at Pendle Brook Care Home, aged 84 years on June 29. The dearly loved wife of Len, beloved mum of Alison and Patrick, mother-in-law of Simon, devoted grandma to Tom and Sophie and great grandma of Rudie, Kitt and Scarlett. Ann was born in Blackburn on Easter Sunday, March 24 1940 and after passing her 11 plus attended the High School for girls in Blackburn. She started her working life aged 16 in the office at Walpamer in Darwen and went on to work at Mullards in Blackburn until the birth of Alison in 1966. Ann and Len first met in 1958 in Darwen Co-op dance hall and were married in 1964. They celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary in February this year. She worked at countless companies throughout her life, including a role with Tempo. Although she was primarily an office administrator, Ann would basically take on any job offered to her including stints at Rishy crisps and OXO. Her longest standing role was office administrator at Pennine Leisure in Springhill where she worked from 1981 to her retirement in 1997. Ann and Len raised their son and daughter on The Coppice in Claytonle-Moors until they moved to Rockmount, Stanhill in 1980. Alison and Patrick have very happy memories of growing up on The Coppice alongside other young families and it was a very close knit community with children going in and out of each others houses to play. It was whilst living in the Coppice that Ann met her very good friend, the late Pat Quirke and they remained very close until Pat’s death. Ann was always busy. She had a very active social life and many, many friends. She had lots of interests and hobbies - enjoying travel, musical theatre, reading, shopping, walking, cinema, quizzing, flower arranging to name but a few. She went on many holidays with her friends and particularly enjoyed cruising. But her pride and joy was her garden and she spent many happy weekends trawling any garden centre within a 20 mile radius. She would, for many years, organise coach trips to the Gardener’s World flower show. Ann was also a very devoted family woman and was very proud of her children and grandchildren. Tom and Sophie have very fond memories of their grandma Ann who babysat them frequently. She had a great sense of fun and was always up for a good belly laugh. Ann was very friendly and gregarious and would strike up conversations with everyone wherever she went. She loved her ‘girl gang’ but in particular was very close to Brenda, Pam, Joan and Carole with whom she spent many happy times on holidays and shopping trips. Latterly she worked as a volunteer in Heritage charity shop in Accrington. By this time she was showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s but thanks to the fantastic support of her colleagues she was able to continue in the role for quite some time. It gave her a purpose as she enjoyed being amongst people and contributing to the community. Ann was a much loved lady who will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. Ann’s funeral service will be held at Accrington Crematorium on Friday, July 12 at 3pm. Family flowers only please. Donations are being gratefully received in Ann’s memory on behalf of Derian House. To make a donation please visit champfunerals.com/ obituaries or send to Champ Funeral Services.
