A granddaughter has paid a beautiful tribute to her granny, the last Mayoress of Farnworth celebrating her lifelong service to the community. Irene Flanagan, who has died at the age of 97, and her late husband, Labour Councillor Joseph ‘Ken’ Flanagan were the last couple to hold the positions of Mayor and Mayoress of Farnworth, before the town became part of Bolton after a major shake-up of council areas in 1974. She died in her home at Maxton House, Farnworth and was “surrounded by her loved ones”.
on September 23. The family have launched a donation page (ireneflanagan.muchloved.
com) in her memory to raise money for the Dementia Society. Born in Farnworth, Irene served as Mayoress for twelve months and was presented with a replica of the ‘Mayoress’s Medallion’ at the end of her term. (Image: Louise Pitfield) Granddaughter, Louise Pitfield said: “The medal and her service as Mayoress meant so much to her, it was the sort of thing she always talked about.
“She relived those days a lot and would tell anybody who would listen about her time as Mayoress, she’s quite proud of it. “Even though she had dementia, my granny would still tell the stories about her visits to Buckingham Palace’s summer garden party and driving the mayoral car in a procession from Farnworth town hall to our Lady of Lourdes church, which she attended long after. “She even donned a replica of the medal for her milestone birthday bash at 90 years old in 2017.
She was so proud to hav.
