A well-known and long-time Blacko resident, Mrs Edna Joyce Ashworth, passed away peacefully at Blackburn Royal Hospital aged 89.
Edna and her late husband, Arthur, had been village residents since 1960. Their dream of building their own home began in 1959 on land at Beverley Farm, Blacko, and they moved into their village home the following year.
Edna lived in Nelson during her early years, attending Walverden School before working in a mill and then at sweets firm Victory V.
She met Arthur when she was 14 and they were childhood sweethearts, marrying when they were 19. They had their first home together in Barrowford where they had their first child, a son, David.
Their second child, daughter Julie, was born just before they moved into their Blacko home, where they all shared a wonderfully happy family life together.
David married Christine and they had two sons, Simon and Mark. Julie married Steve and two more grandchildren, Rachel and Paul, were born.
Edna also leaves two great-grandchildren, Jonny and Chloe, and two step great grand-children, Rachel and Lauren. She was totally committed to her family and was always a wonderfully supportive mother and nanna to them all.
Edna was a popular figure in the old Nelson Market Hall, and later the Arndale Centre, working on the Star Stall for many years.
She was formerly a member of St Thomas’s Church in Barrowford, a member of the Mothers’ Union, a Sunday school teacher and keen member of the flower group, arranging flowers for services and weddings.
She also spent hours in her garden at Beverley Bungalow, creating the wonderful garden that exists today.
Edna was a friend to many, being so full of fun and good company.
She always involved herself in village life and supported the Blacko sports and later Blacko Events Committee.
Edna was always strong and had good health for most of her life, but deteriorated after having a second hip replacement operation which caused her a trauma which weakened her heart, leaving her suffering with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Daughter Julie said: “She had extra care over the last year from two wonderful ladies, Vicki and Sue, who the family are so grateful to for the love and friendship that they gave her.”