The Manchester Evening News print edition regularly publishes memorial tributes and funeral notices for those who have recently lost a loved one. These announcements allow families to celebrate the lives of the deceased and pay respects to health and care teams, while also informing the community about funeral details, fundraising efforts, and floral tributes.
The full list of family announcements can be found on the Manchester Evening News section of the partner website funeral-notices.co.uk. Below are some of the notices published in the paper over the last week, reproduced for online readers.
Tributes to nursery pioneer Kathleen Barnes
Kathleen Barnes died on Tuesday 8th September 2026 at Bury Hospice, aged 96 years, having succumbed to Motor Neuron Disease. She was a loving mother to Ian, Rosalyn, Elaine, Linda and Lorna, grandmother to 10 and great-grandmother to 19.
During the Second World War, at the age of 14, she worked in the nursery at East Ward Bury, which did vital war work by helping other women undertake essential roles. In the later 1960s, she pioneered and helped set up the first pre-school playgroups in the Bury area, which were the forerunners to the now widely established pre-school nurseries. In 1973, she began working full time in the nursery at St Josephs Junior School in Bury and later at St Thomas' in Bury, before retiring at 62.
Kathleen was a prolific reader and engaged in various art and craft hobbies, with her watercolour paintings much sought after within the family. Her funeral takes place on Monday 5th October 2026 at St James Church on Walshaw Road, Bury at 12:00pm, with interment at Ramsbottom Cemetery at 1:15pm, followed by a wake at The Red Hall Hotel, Ramsbottom. Flowers are welcome, or donations to Bury Hospice. Enquiries to Booth and Wolstenholme Funeral Service, Peel Chapel, Crow Lane, Ramsbottom, Tel 01706 826661.
Other funeral notices
George Alleston passed away peacefully at home on 15th September 2026, aged 81 years. He was the beloved husband of Sandra, father to David and Andrew, and grandad to Jack and Maisie. His funeral service is at Rochdale Crematorium on Monday 5th October 2026 at 1pm. Enquiries to Dixons Funeral Service, 2 Manchester Road, Rochdale, OL11 4HY, Tel 01706 645501.
Dorothy Blackband (Donna) died peacefully at home on 20th September 2026, aged 67. A much-loved wife, mum, nana and dear friend, her funeral service is at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Monday 5th October at 9.30am, followed by interment at Denehurst Cemetery, Rochdale. Family flowers only; donations to Springhill Hospice. Contact Castletons Family Funerals, 764 Manchester Road, Castleton, Rochdale, OL11 3AW, Tel 01706 619955.
Thomas Drabble passed away peacefully on 13th September aged 96 at Plane Tree Court Care Home. Late of Hornchurch House, Nangreave Rd, he was the beloved husband of the late Reta, father to Marion and Maureen, grandad to Heather, Sally, Gail and Neil, and great-grandad to Naomi, Stella, Ruth and Toby. Family flowers only; donations to Greater Manchester Asbestos Victim Support charity. Service and committal at Stockport Crematorium on 29th September at 10.45am in the Rowan Chapel. Enquiries to Co-op Davenport, 214 Bramhall Lane, Davenport, SK3 8TE, 0161 456 1709 option 2.
Tracy Earp died peacefully on 17th September 2026 at Springhill Hospice, aged 55. Beloved wife of Chris, loving mum to Becky, Lewis and Chloe, devoted nana to Bradley, Emily, Aura and Evie, and much-loved sister to Donna and Darren. Funeral service at Rochdale Crematorium on Wednesday 30th September at 2.00pm. Family flowers only; donations to Springhill Hospice c/o Dixons Funeral Service, 2 Manchester Road, Rochdale OL11 4HY, Tel 01706 645501.
Doreen Fearn died peacefully on September 8th 2026 at Glan Clwyd Hospital, aged 98, formerly of Rochdale where she was Lady Mayoress in 1956. Beloved wife of the late Alan D'arcy, mother and mother-in-law of Elizabeth and Ron, granny of Joanne, great-granny of Hayley, Louise and Aimeelyn, and great-great-granny of Arabella. Funeral service at Colwyn Bay Crematorium on Wednesday 23rd September 2026 at 2pm. Family flowers only; donations in memory of Barbara to Cats Protection, sent c/o Dewi Glyn Jones Funeral Director, 97 Llandudno Road, Penrhyn Bay, LL30 3HN, Tel 01492 544797.
Christine Hirst passed away on 4th September 2026, aged 66. The funeral service is at Rochdale Crematorium on Monday 5th October 2026 at 11:30am. Enquiries to F Duffy & Son Funeral Service, 254 Market Street, Whitworth, OL12 8PW, Tel 01706 868696.
Edith Hughes is remembered on the 16th anniversary of her death, having fallen asleep on 19th September 2010. A tribute from Malcolm reads: "Silent memories keep you near, As time unfolds another year, Out of my life you may have gone, But in my heart you still live on, A special smile, a special face, A special mum no-one can replace." Florence Hughes is also remembered on the 67th anniversary of her death, having fallen asleep on 25th August 1959.
Jeanne Hunt, of Chester-le-Street, formerly of Hyde, Greater Manchester, died peacefully in hospital on 26th August, aged 84. Dearly loved wife of Geoff, mum to Simon and Fiona, granny to Jack, Joseph and partner Alice, and great-granny to Zennor. Service at St Mary and St Cuthbert Church, Chester-Le-Street, on Monday 28th September at 1.15pm, followed by a private family committal at Birtley Crematorium. Family flowers only; donations to Alzheimer's Society.
Malcolm Jones, much-loved husband of the late Brenda, father of Angela, Carole and Jacqueline, brother of Christine and the late Sheila, grandad of Lauren, Stefan, Alice and Thomas, and great-grandad of Fletcher and Harriet, was known in Oldham as proprietor of Grenlan Engineering. His funeral is at 12pm on Wednesday 30th September at Hollinwood Crematorium, Oldham. Family flowers only; donations to Alzheimer's Society, or leave tributes at malcolm-jones-1939-2026.muchloved.com. Enquiries to Natural Endings, Tel 01706 941757.
Kathleen Mary Martindale passed away peacefully on 7th September 2026 at Fairfield Hospital, Bury, aged 81. Service of Celebration at Rochdale Crematorium on Friday 9th October 2026 at 10.30am. Family flowers only; donations to Alzheimer's Society. Enquiries to F Duffy & Son Funeral Service, 254 Market Street, Whitworth, OL12 8PW, Tel 01706 868696.
Linda McClernon passed away peacefully at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd on Saturday 12th September 2026, aged 80. Originally of Stockport, she lived in West Shore latterly. Loving mum to Deborah, Paul and Julie and their partners Russell and Jackie, devoted grandmother to Jordan and Jade, and beloved sister to Vivian. A full requiem mass takes place on Friday 2nd October 2026 at 12pm at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Llandudno, followed by burial at Tan-y-Foel Cemetery. Donations to Ty Gobaith in lieu of flowers. Enquiries to Tom Owen and Son Funeral Directors, 11 Bodhyfryd Road, Llandudno, Conwy, LL30 2DT, Tel 01492 860280.
Elizabeth Ann McCormick passed away on 7th September 2026, aged 67. Beloved mum to Tracey, Kelly and Helen, adored nana and great-nana, much-loved sister and auntie. Donations to British Heart Foundation. Funeral and celebration at Manchester Crematorium, New Chapel, Barlow Moor Road, Manchester M21 7GZ, on Wednesday 7th October at 11.30am. Entrusted to YOLO Funeral Services, 33 Copson Street, Withington, Manchester, M20 3HE, Tel 0161 670 3150.
June Margaret McGowan died peacefully on 18th September 2026 at Newhey Manor Care Home, aged 85. Beloved wife of the late Vincent and much-loved aunt to Pamela, Julie and Anthony. Family flowers only; donations to Springhill Hospice. Service and committal at Rochdale Crematorium on Friday 2nd October 2026 at 1 pm. Enquiries to Leach and Clegg Funeral Service, 99 Dale Street, Milnrow, Tel 01706 647377.
Michael Joseph Pickering (Mick the Brick) passed away on 17th September 2026. Much-loved dad, grandad, brother and dear friend. Funeral service at Rochdale Crematorium on Thursday 8th October at 11:30am. Family flowers only; donations to Springhill Hospice. Enquiries to Castletons Family Funerals, 764 Manchester Road, Castleton, Rochdale, OL11 3AW, Tel 01706 619955.
Marjorie Smith (née Hutton) passed away peacefully at Tameside General Hospital on 4th September, aged 96. Donations to The Christie Charity in lieu of flowers. Funeral service on Friday 2nd October at 4:00pm at Dukinfield Crematorium. Enquiries to Elizabeth Way & Company Funeral Directors, Mossley, 18 Stamford Street, Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne OL5 0HR, 01457 839 247.
