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.

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. 

Billy Pybus

Billy Pybus died October 1, peacefully in his wife's arms. Billy, aged 74 years of Bishop Auckland, loving husband of Freda, dearly loved dad of Julie, Karen and Janet, dear father-in-law of John, Neil and Ian, devoted granda and treasured great-granda and good friend to many. Will friends please meet for service on Friday, October 21 at 10.30am at St. Wilfrid's Church, followed by cremation at Wear Valley Crematorium, Coundon.

Ronald Thornhill

Ronald Thornhill died On October 9 of Crossgate Moor, Durham. Ronald, aged 89 years, devoted husband of Margaret, loving father of Michael, father-in-law to Cherie, a dear grandad to Alex and James and sadly missed by Christine. Would friends please meet for service and cremation at Durham Crematorium on Friday, October 21 at 10am. All welcome for refreshments at The Honest Lawyer afterwards. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be given after the service for The Great North Air Ambulance. Colourful attire is preferred, not mourning clothes.

Jillian Salkeld

Jillian Ann Salkeld (nee Chaytor) Peacefully passed away on September 12, aged 55 years, a devoted wife and soul mate to John. Loved and loving mam to Bethany and Daniel and their partners, Luke and Alexendrea. A most proud and loving grandma to Oliver and Lucy, A wonderful daughter to Hilda and Doug, a loving sister to Jeff, daughter-in-law to Enid, and sister-in-law to Elaine. Also, a loving aunt to Caitlin, Emily and Sophie. A true friend to so many. Jill's wishes have been carried out and a private funeral has taken place. She will be greatly missed and loved forever. R.I.P sweetheart. Many thanks for donations received for St Cuthbert's Hospice Durham.

Maureen Peairs 

Maureen Peairs (nee Waldock) of Butterknowle died on the October 6, peacefully after a short illness, with her family by her side, aged 83 years. Beloved wife of the late Trevor. Much loved mam of Susan and Kevin, mother-in-law to Lenny and Julie and a loving gran of Joseph (The apple of her eye). Funeral Service at St. John's Church, Lynesack on Friday, October 21 at 11.30am, followed by interment in the cemetery. Friends please meet at the Church. Floral tributes may be sent care of John Blenkiron & Sons Funeral Directors, 19 Galgate, Barnard Castle.

Kenneth Frame

Kenneth Frame of Bishop Auckland, formerly of Willington, passed away peacefully on 10th October at Sandringham Care Home, aged 91 years. Devoted husband to Nancy, dearly loved dad, granda, great-grandad and a friend to many. The funeral service will take place at Durham Crematorium on Tuesday 18th October at 10am. Family flowers only please.

Dorothy Armstrong

Dorothy Armstrong died October 5, peacefully in hospital, of Darlington. Dorothy May, aged 88 years, beloved mother of Kathleen and Christine, partner to George and much loved grandmother and great-grandmother. Funeral Wednesday, October 19. Friends please meet for service in The West Cemetery Chapel, Carmel Road North at 11.00am. Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, may be given at the service for SCOPE.

Kathleen Blackburn

Kathleen Blackburn, nee Anyan of Low Row, died peacefully in hospital on 22nd September, aged 72 years. A much-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Funeral Service at Low Row United Reformed Church, on Sunday 23rd October at 2pm followed by interment in the Methodist Churchyard. Friends please meet at the church. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired may be given at the service for Cancer Research UK.

Peter Ward

Peter Ward Of Bishop Auckland / Evenwood Passed away on the October 8, aged 83 years. Dearly loved husband of Barbara, much loved dad of Caroline and Joanne, dear father-in-law of Gary and loved grandad of Daniel and Sarah. Funeral service to take place at Wear Valley C

Emma Helen Lawrence

Emma Helen Lawrence aged 40, of Croxdale, passed away suddenly and peacefully at home on Saturday, October 1 2022. Dearly loved daughter of Chris and Sheila, much loved sister to Marie and Katie, and adoring mam to Layla and Drew. She will be deeply missed by all her family, friends and neighbours. The funeral service will take place in Wear Valley Crematorium on Wednesday 19th October at 2.30pm, all welcome. Family flowers only please. Donations in the memory of Emma can be made to her favourite charity The Solan, Connor, Fawcett Family Cancer Trust who she always supported. Contributions can be made via donation boxes at the funeral or to the charity direct.rematorium on Wednesday, October 26 at 12.30pm. Family flowers only please. Donations to the Mara Unit at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

Garry Hinds

Garry Hinds (Carrville) died on September 30 aged 59 years, Garry. Beloved partner of Natasha, much loved dad of Matthew, loving brother of Alan, John and Christine. Friends, please meet for service in St. Mary Magdalene Church, Belmont on Wednesday 19th October at 12.30pm prior to cremation at Durham Crematorium. Afterwards all welcome to Belmont Working Mens Club for refreshments. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired to The Air Ambulance.

Mary Lloyd

Mary Lloyd (Molly) Of Coxhoe, passed away quietly in James Cook Hospital on September 25, aged 93 years. Beloved wife of the late Richard (Dick), much loved mother of Richard and the late Mary, loved grandmother of Stuart, Katherine, Lisa, Michael and Joy, also loving great-grandmother of Rowan. Friends, please meet for Requiem Mass at St. Joseph's RC Church, Coxhoe, on Wednesday, September 19 at 12.00 noon, followed by cremation at Durham Crematorium.

Margaret Allison

Margaret Allison died on September 30. Margaret, aged 86 years of Bishop Auckland, formerly Witton Park. Beloved wife of the late George, devoted mam to Sharon and Michelle and mother-in-law to Michael. Much loved and loving gran to Sarah, Ashleigh and Ryan, a dear great-gran to Summer and Mason-George, also a sister, sister-in-law, auntie and good friend to many. Will friends please meet for service in the Bishop Auckland Methodist Church at 11am on Monday, October 17 followed by interment in Witton Park. After the service all are invited for refreshments in the church hall.

Janet Hall

Janet Hall, aged 77 years of Aldbrough St John, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 21. Dearly loved wife of Nigel, loving mum of Erik and David, devoted grandma to Daniel, Dylan, Fraser and Toby. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Janet's life at St. James Church, Melsonby on Thursday, October 20 at 12.30pm followed by a private family cremation. Family flowers only please. There will be a Choral Evensong at St. Cuthbert's Church, Darlington, dedicated to Janet on 23rd October at 5.00pm.

Tim Whiting 

Tim Whiting, of Sowerby, Thirsk passed away peacefully on September 29 aged 99 years 8 months and 5 days. A beloved husband of Margaret, a much-loved dad, grandad and great-grandad. Funeral service to be held at St Oswald's Church, Sowerby, Thirsk on Friday 14th October at 1pm.

Rose Evans

Rose Evans (nee Coe), aged 90 years, of Darlington, passed away peacefully on September 28. Dearly loved mam of Ann and Gillian, dear mother-in-law of Eddie and Roy and a loving nana and great-nana. Funeral service to take place in the West Cemetery Chapel on Thursday 13th October at 3pm. Family flowers only please.

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