Flags lowered in honour of former Mayoress Elaine Dutton as funeral cortege pauses at Town Hall

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Funeral cortege of former Mayoress Elaine Dutton pauses outside Rochdale Town Hall

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Councillors and members of Rochdale Borough Council gathered outside the Town Hall this morning to remember former Mayoress Elaine Dutton.

The funeral cortege paused outside Rochdale Town Hall this morning, where the flags were lowered as a mark of condolence and sympathy, allowing those present to remember fond memories of Mrs Dutton, before continuing to the service at St Margaret’s Church in Heywood.

Mrs Dutton, a popular and much loved Mayoress of the borough in 2016/17, died at home surrounded by her family on Friday 1 December aged 64.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/114552/obituary-former-mayoress-elaine-dutton

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 her future husband, Councillor Ray Dutton, when they moved to Heywood. They married on 2 August 1975 and have a daughter, Sarah Cadogan, 39, and a son, Michael, 37.

Mourners, including Mayor Ian Duckworth and Mayoress Christine Duckworth, await the funeral cortege outside Rochdale Town Hall

The former Mayor, 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.

Flags lowered at Rochdale Town Hall in honour of former Mayoress Elaine Dutton

A well-loved member of the community, 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.

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