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.

Audrey Woodcock

Audrey Woodcock passed away peacefully aged 86 on November 9 in Grosvenor Park Care Home.

Audrey, of Darlington was loving wife to the late Dennis, cherished mum of Beverley, dearly loved grandma of Catherine and great-grandma of Harry and Emilia.

Would friends please meet for a service at the West Cemetery Chapel, Darlington on Friday November 25 at 11am. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be given for Dementia UK.

Emily Robinson

Emily Robinson (nee Jones) of Sherburn Village passed away peacefully on 27th October, aged 101 years.

Dearly beloved wife of the late Thomas Robinson.

A much loved mam of the late Margaret, mother-in-law to Keith, a treasured gran to Simon and Janine and a great-granny to Rebekah and Alex.

Will family and friends please meet for a service at St Marys Church, Sherburn Village on Wednesday 23rd November at 10.30am.

Followed by cremation at Durham Crematorium. She will be sadly missed by all of her family. Family flowers only please by request.

Edward (Eddy) Willey

Edward (Eddy) Willey of Brandon passed away on November 13, aged 71.

He was the dearly loved husband of Janette and a much loved son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle and friend to many.

Would friends please meet for service in St John's Church, Meadowfield on Thursday, November 24 at 9.15am followed by cremation at Durham.

All welcome for refreshments at Meadowfield Club afterwards.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be given after the service for the Chemotherapy Ward at UHND and Myelofibrosis.

William Robert (Bill) Lawton

William Robert (Bill) Lawton of Tow Law passed away aged 80 after a brave fight.

A devoted husband to Anne, much loved dad to Andrew, Dean and Robert and dear father-in-law, grandad, great-grandad and good friend to many.

Will friends please meet in St Philip and St James Church, Tow Law at 1.15pm on Thursday, November 24.

Followed by interment at Thornley Road Cemetery.

Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu may be made to the Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care charity in the church hall, where all are welcome for refreshments following the church service.

Jean Knights

Jean Knights died suddenly in hospital on November 11 aged 85 years old.

Beloved wife of the late Eric, much loved mother of Karen, Colin, Gillian, Denise and the late Malcolm.

A much loved grandma and great-grandma who will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.

Funeral service will take place at At Thomas' Church, Brompton on Wednesday November 30 at 10.30am, followed by interment in Brompton Cemetery.

Jean requested that everyone wears colour.

Joyce Patterson

Joyce Patterson of Durham passed away peacefully on the 31st October aged 71 years.

Beloved daughter of the late Florence and Robert. Very special friend of Susan and Paul.

Funeral Service is to take place at Durham Crematorium on Friday 25th November 2022 at 2pm.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if so desired can be made in Joyce's memory and are for Crohn's and Colitis UK.

Friends and family are invited to a gathering after the service at The Duke of Wellington.

Norman Watson

Norman Watson of Belmont passed away on 8th November aged 90.

Beloved husband of the late Muriel, a loving dad and grandad.

Friends please meet for service at Durham Crematorium on Friday 25th November at 3.30pm.

All welcome afterwards to The Broomside Park, Belmont for refreshments.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired to The British Heart Foundation.

John Richardson

John Richardson of Darlington died peacefully in hospital surrounded by his loving family on November 8 aged 82.

Very special and much loved husband of Ruth. Loving dad of Sean and the late Martin.

Devoted grandad of Katie also a dearly loved brother, brother-in-law and uncle. Funeral Friday 25th November, a private funeral service will take place.

Everyone is welcome afterwards to celebrate John's life 4.00pm at Blackwell Meadows, Grange Road Darlington.

Arthur John Dobson

Arthur John Dobson of Darlington passed away suddenly on 24th October, aged 83.

Loving husband of the late Sheila, much loved dad of Julie and Sandra, proud grandad of Jamie, Emily, Josh, Josie and Sam.

Would family and friends please meet for a Requiem Mass at St Thomas Aquinas R.C. Church, Darlington on Friday 25th November at 12.15pm followed by private burial.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if so desired to the Alzheimer's Society and MIND.

Pete Harding

Pete Harding of Durham passed away suddenly at his home of Oswald Court aged 91.

Devoted husband of the late Maureen, a dearly loved dad of Noreen and Peter, dearly loved granda and great-granda.

Friends please meet for service in St. Oswalds Parish Church, Durham on Monday 28th November at 11.15am prior to interment in South Road Cemetery.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired to The Royal British Legion.

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