Death of a Catholic pioneer

Reporter: Gillian Potts
Date published: 11 April 2014


A PIONEER of the Catholic Church in Saddleworth has died only days before her 100th birthday.

Ethel Lancashire, from Dobcross - affectionately known as “Grandma Lanc” to her 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandson, was a founder member of Sacred Heart and St William RC Church, Uppermill.

Ethel, who died on April 1 - four days before her birthday - was so pivotal in the Saddleworth Catholic movement she was due to receive a papal blessing from Pope Benedict XVI on her birthday. Instead the honour will be read out at her Requiem Mass at the church tomorrow (12.30pm).

Ethel ran the church’s charity shop and often helped to care for travellers to Lourdes. She was awarded the Benemerenti medal for long and exceptional service.

Born in Sydney, Australia - her father fought for the Australian forces in World War One - Ethel arrived in Dobcross with their return to the area after the war.

In recent years she lived with her daughter Brenda in Wall Hill Road.

Brenda described her mum as “a real character” who would once cycle Congleton every weekend to see her grandparents. When her brothers dared her to swim between the north and south pier in Blackpool she was happy to take up the challenge for a shilling!

“She went through a lot and worked hard all her life,” said Brenda. “She touched lots of people lives. We got so many cards on her birthday from people who didn’t know she’d died, and we’ve received so many bereavement cards and flowers. She’ll be much missed by us all.”

Ethel leaves daughters Brenda, Joan Bradbury, Margaret Mulhall and son John Lancashire.