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.

Thomas Tomlinson

Thomas Tomlinson, of Tow Law, on 21st October, passed away peacefully in hospital aged 85 years.

Devoted husband of Mary, a very dear stepdad to Lesley and Edward, a beloved grandad and great-grandad, respected father-in-law to Paul and Sandra, a dear brother and brother-in-law, uncle and good friend to many.

Will family and friends please meet for service at St. Philip & St. James' Church, Tow Law, on Thursday 10th November at 1:30pm.

A committal will follow at Durham Crematorium.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be offered to The Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Alan Barkley 

Alan Barkley, of Croft-on- Tees, passed away peacefully in hospital on 28th October 2022, aged 81 years.

Much loved husband of the late Valerie, loving dad of the late Jonathan, also a dear friend to many.

Funeral Thursday 10th November.

Would friends please meet 2.00pm for service at the West Cemetery Chapel, Darlington.

Colin Pentland

Colin Pentland of Bishop Auckland passed away peacefully 24th October, aged 77 years.

A devoted dad to Alison and Michael, loving grandad to Jack, father-in-law to Frankie, also devoted son of the late Frank and Doris.

Will friends please meet for service in Bishop Auckland Methodist Church at 3pm on Friday 11th November, followed by private committal.

Mary Nellist 

Mary Nellist, of Crook, passed away peacefully on 27th October, aged 89 years. 

Beloved wife of the late Ron, much loved and loving mam of Carol and partner Alan, also the late Christine. A devoted nana to Joanne and husband Paul, an adoring great-nana to Danny and partner Ellie and Christy, also great-great-nana to cherished and much loved Poppy and Lottie.

She will be sadly missed by all her family.

A funeral service will take place in St Andrew's Church, Dawson Street, Crook at 2.30pm on Monday 14th November, followed by committal at Durham Crematorium.

Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu may be given for Cancer Research UK.

Michael Bostock

Michael Bostock, of Spennymoor, passed away on 24th October peacefully at home, aged 88 years.

A much loved husband of Sylvia, a dearly loved father and father-in-law of Michael and Dawn, Tony and Mandy, a beloved grandad of Michael, David, Laura, Matthew and Emma and an adored great-grandad of Ellie, Alfie and Michael John.

Would relatives and friends please meet at St Andrews Church, Spennymoor, on Wednesday 9th November for a service at 11:30am followed by a private interment.

Family flowers only.

Donations if desired to Prostate Cancer UK.

Brian Walton

Brian Walton, of Shildon and formerly West Auckland, passed away on 17th October peacefully in hospital with his loving family at his side, aged 75 years.

Devoted husband of the late Patricia Ann. A much loved dad to Mark and Neil. Respected father-in-law to Caroline and Susan. Beloved granda to Kieran, Caitlin, Declan, Morgan and Shannon, great-granda to Evie, Rohan, Isaac, Charlie and bump Reid.

Also a very good friend to many.

Will family and friends please meet for service at St. John's Church, Shildon on Wednesday 9th November at 11:30am.

A committal will follow in Shildon Cemetery.

Ruth Rae

Ruth Rae (nee Dent), of Hurworth, passed away on 28th October, peacefully, aged 87 years. 

Dearly beloved wife of Norman, much loved mam of Mark, Neil, Helen and Phill, also an adored grandma of Alex.

Funeral Tuesday 15th November.

Would friends please meet for a service in the West Cemetery Chapel, West Cemetery, Darlington at 3:00pm, prior to cremation.

Family flowers only please donations if desired may be given in aid of St Teresa's Hospice.

Maurice Hume

Maurice Hume of Darlington passed away peacefully on 18th October aged 83 years.

Dearly beloved husband of Maureen, devoted dad of Lynne, Dave and the late Neville, loving father-in-law of Ken and Lesley, dearly missed cousin of Daphne and Cindy, also a treasured grandad and great-grandad.

Will family and friends please meet for a service at West Cemetery Chapel Darlington on Thursday 10th November at 1pm.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu may be given after the service to the Stroke Association.

Geraldine (Gerry) Richardson

Geraldine (Gerry) Richardson of Spennymoor passed away on 18th October aged 94 years peacefully in hospital.

Dearly loved wife of the late Jack, mother of John, Paul and the late Julie, a devoted mother-in-law, grandma and great-grandma.

Would friends please meet at St David's Church, Tudhoe, on Tuesday 8th November at 2.40pm for a service, followed by committal at Durham Crematorium.

Friends are welcome to join the family for refreshments at Tudhoe Cricket Club afterwards.

Ann Willan

Ann Willan of Chester-le-Street passed away peacefully in hospital on the 25th of October aged 81 years.

Much loved wife, mam, mother-in-law, nan and great-nan to all the family.

Ann will be sadly missed by family and friends.

Please meet for funeral service at Durham Crematorium on Friday 11th November at 10.00am.

No flowers by request.

Donations if desired to Parkinson UK and Gateway Wheelers.

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