Families have paid their respects to loved ones who have sadly passed away in Darlington and County Durham in recent weeks.

Announcing the passing of a loved one in local news media is a long standing tradition, with daily notices appearing in print and online every day.

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To read the latest announcements and add tributes to those from our area who have passed away, click here

Here are a selection of notices published earlier this week. Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this extremly difficult time. 

The Northern Echo:

Ursula Marie Burke 

Ursula Marie 'Uli' Burke, aged 74 of Thirlmere Road, Ferryhill. Passed away unexpectedly at Darlington Memorial Hospital on the 26th September.

Wife of the late Hugh John Burke. Mother to Louise, Mandy, Lesley. Grandmother and Great-grandmother. Twin sister and best friend to Nina Strange. Very good friend to Lara Cutler.

Friends and family can meet at Wear Valley Crematorium (Coundon) at 10.30am on Friday 14th October.

Refreshments afterwards at Ferryhill Working Men's Club.

Joseph Williamson 

Joseph William (Billy) Williamson of Bishop Auckland, aged 90, peacefully in the care of Barrington Lodge Care Home, surrounded by his family.

Loving partner of the late Aggie, devoted father to the late Shaun, a dear brother and uncle and a good friend to many.

Will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

A funeral service will take place in St. Mary's R.C. Church, Bishop Auckland, on Thursday 13th October at 12pm, followed by a private family interment.

Donations may be left in memory of Billy, at the end of the Service towards Church Funds.

Thomas Dunford 

Thomas Walter (Tom) Dunford passed away on 25th September, peacefully in Darlington, aged 87 years.

Dearly loved husband of Anne, much loved dad of Mark and Joanne, loving grandad of Jack, Ben and Eve and dear brother-in-law of Margaret.

Funeral Friday 14th October. Friends please meet for service in St. Augustine's Church at 11.15am. No flowers please.

Donations, if desired, may be given for Dementia U.K. and Diabetes U.K.

Margaret Lynas 

Margaret Ethel Lynas, of Darlington, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 3 aged 81 years.

A loving wife of the late Bill, beloved mum of Stephen and Richard, cherished grandma of Leanne, Stephanie, Beth and Adam.

Would friends please meet for a service at the West Cemetery Chapel, Darlington on Thursday 13th October at 2pm. No flowers please.

Donations, if desired, may be given for Dementia UK

Joan Etherington 

Joan Etherington, of Darlington, aged 84 years, passed away peacefully on 26th September.

Beloved wife of the late Stanley, much loved mum of Paul and Andrew also loved and adored by her grandson Matthew.

Funeral Friday 14th October. Would friends and family please meet for a 2pm service at West Cemetery Chapel.

Flowers maybe sent c/o Whitehouse Funeral Service or donations to British Heart Foundation.

Wendy Sweeney

Wendy Sweeney (nee McNichol) passed away on 1st October, peacefully in Darlington, surrounded by her loving family.

Wendy, aged 72 years, dearly loved wife of John, loving mam of Glen and Gayle, much loved mother-in-law of Paul, devoted grandma to Jack, Lucy and Joe, dear sister of Connie and special auntie of Gill, Paul, Jamie, Emma and Natalie.

Funeral Thursday 13th October. Friends please meet for service in St James The Great Church, Albert Hill at 11.30am. Family flowers only please.

Donations, if desired, may be given at the service for Macmillan Nurses and St. Teresa's Hospice. Friends and family welcome afterwards at Albert Hill Club.

Melvyn (Mel) Carr

Melvyn (Mel) Carr, of Newton Aycliffe, passed away suddenly on 23rd September, aged 78 years.

Loving husband of Brenda, dearly loved stepdad of Beverly and Penny, devoted grumps, a dear brother and good friend to many.

Will friends please meet for service on Wednesday 12th October at 1:30 p.m. at Wear Valley Crematorium, Coundon. Family flowers only.

Donations in memory to B.H.F.

Dorothy Hardwick

Dorothy Elizabeth (Betty) Hardwick of Spennymoor, sadly passed away in hospital on 28th September.

Beloved wife of the late Frederick, much loved mam of Maureen and Raymond, mother-in-law of Graham and Jennifer, a dearly loved nanna to Melanie and Michelle and nannie of Hayden and Zack.

Will family and friends please meet for service at Durham Crematorium on Wednesday 12th October at 11.30am.

Family flowers only donations in lieu if so desired to Marie Curie or Howlish Nursing Home.

Paul Grieveson 

Paul Grieveson, aged 84 years, suddenly at home on 29th September of Yarm Road, Darlington.

Loving husband of Meryle, dearly loved dad of Iain, Mark and David, dear father-in-law of Lorna and Jo, much loved grandad of Lisa, Harry, Emily and Florence and a beloved brother to June.

Funeral service to take place in the West Cemetery Chapel on Friday 14th October at 11am. Family flowers only please.

Donations accepted for the British Heart Foundation c/o Whitehouse Funeral Service.

Relaxed dress code, colours welcome.

​Sandra Parker

Sandra Parker (nee Swan) of Darlington, formerly of Scarborough passed away peacefully on 11th September, aged 84 years.

Beloved wife of the late Geoffrey, much loved friend of Lisa and Maureen.

Will family and friends please meet for a service at West Cemetery Chapel Darlington on Wednesday 12th October at 1pm.

No flowers by request please.

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