The funeral was held yesterday (Thursday) of popular local personality Janet Anne Duerden, who has died aged 81.
Mrs Duerden, latterly of Middop, near Rimington, where she was an active WI member, ran Hayhurst’s photographic shop, Nelson, which she inherited from her father, James Hayhurst, in the 1960s.
The devoted wife of the late John Anthony Duerden (Tony), who she nursed for years before his death in 2009, she was mother to Nicola and the late Paul and grandmother to Hamish and Harriet.
Mrs Duerden worked tirelessly for many causes, including in the ’60s, moral welfare in conjunction with the Church of England.
She later teamed up with the Rev. Dennis Fowler to initiate the first scheme in the country to help unmarried mothers. Her then revolutionary idea of housing unmarried mothers in their own homes was a huge success, first in Colne and then nationwide.
Mrs Duerden was also a member of various committees, Cancer Research being one of many. She also compered fashion shows in aid of charities. Another group that won her heart was the physically handicapped children and every year, with the help of Brierfield Rotary Club, she held a summer garden party at her Blacko home.
