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Hilda Carefoot

20/10/2008

A WOMAN who lived through two world wars and the invention of electricity, cars and telephones, and saw a man walk on the moon, has died aged 101 at Church View Nursing Home, Princess Street, Accrington.

Mrs Hilda Carefoot, formerly of Emma Street, Accrington, celebrated her 100th birthday in June last year surrounded by 80 family, friends and civic dignitaries.

Her guests, including the then Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Tony Dobson and his wife Trish, and Hyndburn alderman Jack Grime, were joined by friends from as far afield as Japan, Hong Kong, America, Bristol, the Lake District, London and Yorkshire to be with her on her special day.

Former Hyndburn Park School pupil Hilda spent all her working life at Steiners Screen Prin-ters.

Renowned for her talent as a soprano singer, she was christened The Antley Nightingale by the congregation at Antley Methodist Church. She won many contests throughout Lancashire and even performed on BBC radio.

An active member of Antley Methodists’ Choir for 75 years, she held many posts at the church including church leader in the 1960s and community steward.

She also played many leading roles in the Antley Dramatic and Music Society productions.

Born Hilda Heap in Pitt Street, Accrington, on 25 May 1907, she grew up in Hagg Lane until she married her sailor husband Harold in 1940 and set up home in Emma Street, where she stayed until she moved into Church View.

The couple were devoted to each other until Harold’s death in 1987. They never had children but enjoyed looking after their two nieces Irene and Brenda and nephew Jim.

Mrs Carefoot was a proud woman who took care of her appearance and loved to keep up-to-date with current affairs. She enjoyed the company of family and friends and was a keen supporter of Church Cricket Club.

She also enjoyed holidays to the seaside with her husband and until recently was a member of the Emma Street Gang, taking coach trips to Scotland.

Hilda was also well known among her neighbours because of her love of baking and her generosity. She was often seen passing oven bottom muffins and her famous Lancashire hotpot over the garden walls.

She leaves a brother-in-law Ernest, nieces Brenda, Irene and Debra, nephews Jim and Paul, many great-nieces and nephews and close friends.

She was cremated at Accrington on Monday 20 October following a service at Antley Methodist Church.

Arrangements: Wolstenholme’s.