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. 

Joseph Lythe 

Joseph Lythe, aged 63 years of Darlington, passed away peacefully on 7th October.

A much loved dad, grandad, great-grandad, brother and uncle.

Funeral to be held on Tuesday 25th October at the West Cemetery Chapel Darlington at 11am, followed by refreshments at Haughton Club.

Charles Frederick Shaw

Charles Frederick Shaw of Topcliffe, passed away peacefully on 10th October aged 73.

Father to William, Richard, Luke and Imogen, a loving father-in-law, and 'Yorkshire Grandad' to Isla and Owen.

A very good friend to so many, who will be sadly missed.

A family funeral will be held at St Columba's, Topcliffe, followed by a service to celebrate Charles' life, at St Mary's Church, Thirsk on Monday 24th October at 2pm, to which everyone who knew Charles is warmly invited.

We request that what you wear matches the cheerful spirit of the gathering.

Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu to The British Lung Foundation and St Mary's Church.

Harry Wall

Harry Wall of Bishop Auckland, passed away on 4th October, aged 79 years.

Beloved husband of the late Brenda, much loved dad of Alison, Lynne and Stephen, loving grandad of Shaun, Nicola and Caroline, special great-grandad of Conner, Oliver, Lily, Maisie and Evie, dearly loved brother of Iris and June.

Would family and friends please meet for a service at Wear Valley Crematorium on Thursday 27th October at 1.30pm.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if so desired to the RSPCA and GNAAS.

Thelma Wade

Thelma Wade of Crook passed away peacefully at home on 13th October aged 83 years.

Reunited with devoted husband Derek, much loved mam of David, Stephen and Darren, loving mother-in-law of Susan, Gillian and Sandra also a dear sister, sister-in-law, auntie, grandma and great-grandma.

Friends please meet for service at Durham Crematorium on Wednesday 26th October at 1.00 pm.

Christopher Blake

Christopher Blake of Mendip Grove, Darlington, passed away on October 4 aged 71 years.

Dearly loved husband of the late Fiona, much loved dad of Paul, Sarah and Lee, loving grandad of Ryan, Caleb, Jayden, Lewis and Nicole, and a dear son, brother and part of the Elm Ridge Family.

Funeral Tuesday 25th October. Friends please meet for service in the West Cemetery Chapel (Darlington Crematorium) at 3.00pm.

Immediate family flowers only please.

Donations, if desired, may be sent for a charity of your choice.

Malcolm Nichol

Malcolm Nichol of Spennymoor passed away on October 9 aged 84 years.

Beloved husband of Evelyn and a much loved father, grandad and great-grandad.

Funeral service will take place at Mount Pleasant Independent Methodist Chapel, Half Moon Lane, Spennymoor on Thursday 27th October at 2.45 p.m, followed by cremation at Wear Valley Crematorium at 3.30 p.m.

Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu if so desired to The Alzheimer's Society.

Maureen Nicholson 

Maureen Nicholson, of Bishop Auckland, passed away on September 16 aged 89 peacefully in the care of St. Clare's Court

Devoted wife of the late John. Beloved mother and mother-in-law. A treasured gran, great-gran and great-great-gran. Also a very dear aunt and good friend to many.

Will family and friends please meet for service in St. Mary's R.C. Church, Bishop Auckland on Tuesday 25th October at 11:00am. An interment will follow in Bishop Auckland town cemetery.

Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of Maureen may be left in Church for Church funds and The British Heart Foundation.

Len Vardy

Len Vardy, of Bishop Auckland, passed away peacefully on October 11.

Beloved husband and best friend of Ethel, loving brother to Albert and the late Eric, Edna and Marjorie, also a dear brother-in-law, uncle and good friend to many.

Will friends please meet for service on Wednesday 26th October at 3:30 p.m. at Wear Valley Crematorium, Coundon.

No flowers by request.

Charlie Errington 

Charlie Errington, formerly of Kirk Merrington and the Blue Bell, Barnard Castle, died suddenly on Sunday 9th October, after a short illness.

Much loved husband of Jennifer, loving dad to Kirk and Kimberly, loving grandad to Bella and Jaxon, Teddy and Elfi.

Cremation to take place at Wear Valley Crematorium on Monday 24th October at 11.30 a.m.

All friends welcome, and afterwards for drinks at the Commercial Hotel.

Donations if desired may be given in the Crematorium Chapel to Cancer Research UK (Teesdale).

Doreen Richards

Doreen Richards, of Sedgefield, died peacefully in hospital on 5th October.

Beloved wife of the late Eric Richards, loving mother of daughters Anne and Barbara and their husbands Harold and Robert, grandmother of Clare, Rachel and Matthew, also great-grandma and great-great-grandma.

She will be dearly missed by all.

Funeral to be held at St Edmund's Church, Sedgefield on Monday 24th October at 11:30am followed by cremation at Wear Valley Crematorium.

Family flowers only please. Donations for St Edmund's Church at the service.