Obituary: Former Mayoress Elaine Dutton

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Mayor Ray Dutton and Mayoress Elaine Dutton

Elaine Dutton, former Mayoress of Rochdale, died at home surrounded by her family on Friday (1 December) aged 64.

Mrs Dutton was Mayoress between May 2016 and May 2017 when her husband, Councillor Ray Dutton was the Mayor of Rochdale.

He said: “I was very honoured for Elaine to be Mayoress during my year as Mayor.”

Elaine died at home – one of her last wishes - surrounded by her family after battling cancer. The former Mayoress had been given the all-clear after fighting breast cancer earlier this year, but was later diagnosed with lesions on her liver with no option of treatment.

Mrs Dutton was born in Oldham on 18 December 1952, and had one brother, Ian Rigby.

She lived in Middleton until she met Ray, when they moved to Heywood. They married on 2 August 1975 and have a daughter, Sarah Cadogan, 39, and a son, Michael, 37.

Councillor Dutton, described his wife as “funny, jovial and life-loving.” Her hobbies largely involved the local community, she was a governor at two schools and church warden at St Margaret’s Church, Heywood, and also a Rainbow helper. She loved spending time at Moorland Children’s Home, which she chose as one of the Mayor’s charities during her time as Mayoress.

She loved Rochdale Football Club and spending time with her three grandchildren, Ashley, nine, Isaac, seven, and Amelia, five.

Mrs Dutton had been a teacher since 1974. She became a supply teacher in Rochdale schools returning permanently in 1984 as a teacher at Alderman Kay Special School until it closed. Her husband said teaching children with special education needs was her forte.

In 2007, Mrs Dutton became Deputy Head of the special school, Springside with Hamer in Rochdale. She retired in 2013.

Councillor Dutton says “Elaine lived life to the full” and her death has hit the family hard.

Mrs Dutton’s funeral will take place on Friday 8 December. The cortege will pass the front of the Town Hall and pause for a few moments shortly after 9am before continuing to the 9.45am service at St Margaret’s Church, Heys Lane, Heywood.

Ciuncillor Dutton added: “The support over the last few weeks from Hospice at Home has been amazing; I do not think we could have made it through this tragic time without them, or Rhodes Carers, who helped look after Elaine.

"It is also a great honour for us that the procession will stop outside the Town Hall.”

Family only are requested at the crematorium, but all are welcome at church and at the Town Hall afterwards from 11.45am.

It was Elaine’s wish that she be remembered with “happy thoughts” and she would like hats or fascinators worn, if possible.

Family flowers only, however if anyone wishes to make a donation then please donate to Hospice at Home.