Tributes to popular former midday supervisor and foster carer from Glossop

The family of a much-loved former midday supervisor and foster carer from Glossop, who has sadly passed away at the age of 76, have paid a touching tribute to her. 

Pat Jones was born on 22 June 1946 as the eldest child of Frank and Alice Hall. 

She lived with her parents, brother Frank and sisters Susan and the late Janet at the family home in Milltown, Glossop. 

The children attended All Saints RC School in Old Glossop and Pat went on to become a machinist at Ritz Manufacturing Company, in Howardtown Mills, at the bottom of Victoria Street.

Pat and her husband-to-be David, the former editor of the Glossop Chronicle, met on a 'blind date' in the late 1960s and were married at St. James' Church, Whitfield, in June 1970.

They went on to have two sons, David and Mathew, and were blessed with three grandchildren: William, now 18, Anwen, who is 15, and nine-year-old Huey.

Early in the marriage, Pat worked at Pownall's footwear and sporting goods shop on High Street East and, for more than 25 years, was a dinner lady and midday supervisor at Duke of Norfolk School.

She loved working with the children and would smile when some of the children she looked after in the school recognised her many years later. Many of those former children have sent messages of sympathy and love following Pat's death, describing her as their favourite dinner lady. 

Pat's family say she was a person who would do anything for anyone and a prime example was when she was invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party with husband David several years ago.

She bought a new outfit including a pair of shoes but, fearing they might be too tight, she slipped an old pair in her handbag.

Pat was walking through the Royal gardens when she came across a woman who had fallen over tree roots, ripping the sole from one of her shoes.

Without further ado, Pat took over, putting her fellow guest at ease, taking off her own shoes, slipping her old pair from her handbag and holding a fitting session in the summer sun.

The guest was more comfortable in the new pair, which Pat handed over and carried on for the rest of the party wearing her old pair.

It was a happy ending all round, Pat and David had a lovely day and the temporary owner of Pat's new shoes sent them back with a beautiful letter of thanks.

Pat's love of helping others also included thousands of people she would never meet who would never know her name.

Pat had a particular rare blood group and, while she was pregnant with David, certain elements were discovered which could be vitally important in the birth of babies with similar blood types.

Asked by Tameside Hospital if she would donate blood, Pat readily agreed and was told it could help in 'thousands' of births.

Pat always loved children and, for a time, fostered youngsters with Derbyshire County Council. 

Giving a reason for fostering, she said: "Well if my children ever needed a loving family, I hope there would be someone there to foster them."

Pat also received a long service certificate from DCC for being a midday supervisor for more than 25 years. 

Loving, caring, kind and compassionate, Pat was a devoted wife, mother, granny and sister who went out of her way to help others.

And with around 200 messages of sympathy, received by her family in the form of cards, emails, texts and people stopping them in the street for a chat, it's something that everyone recognises.

Pat's main love was gardening and it wasn't only flowers and vegetables she grew.

She loved growing the comphrey plant and if ever a family member sprained an ankle or wrist, she would pick a bunch, boil it and give instructions to the sufferer to soak the injured limb in the fluid and wrap it in the leaves. It worked, as did the other home grown remedies she treated the family with.

As a fan of Cliff Richard, some of Pat's favourite songs were played at her funeral at Glossop Parish Church last Friday (26 August), which was well attended by those who knew her.  

Everyone at the Glossop Chronicle sends our condolences to David and all of his family and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.