Grieving former mayoress Delyse Critchley killed herself weeks after loss of beloved husband Norman

An inquest in Bolton heard how Delyse Critchley was devoted to Norman, her husband of 22 years and her life revolved around him.

When Alderman Critchley, a long-standing councillor and former Bolton mayor died from pancreatic cancer on January 4 last year his 68-old wife Denise decided she wanted to join him and made repeated attempts to kill herself.

Four days after 82-year-old Mr Critchley’s death Mrs Critchley’s worried step-daughter, Janet Davies called police when she could not get in touch with her.

Police broke into the pensioner’s bungalow in Higher Ridings, Bromley Cross, where they found she had killed her beloved pet dogs, Eric and Monty, injured her own wrists and taken an overdose.

“Everything was laid out in the bedroom. Dad’s clothes for burial were there, her clothes plus the dog’s toys and lots of roses plus whisky goblets and dad’s alderman’s plaque – everything which she wanted buried with them,” said Mrs Davies.

Mrs Critchley was voluntarily admitted to the psychiatric unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital where she spent almost two months, initially telling staff that she wanted to be with her husband but then gradually stating that they would be together eventually at the end of her natural life.

“I could tell from the way she was speaking she wanted something completely different. She didn’t want to be alive,” said Mrs Davies.

“She was a very proud to be mayoress. She came across as a very quiet, unassuming person but she was a very determined person and once she decided she wanted something she would make sure she did it or would get it.”

Norman and Delyse Critchley receive his alderman's certificate from Cllr Hilary Fairclough

On March 3 last year the retired physiotherapy assistant was discharged from hospital but, two days later, she was found collapsed again at home having taken another overdose and was admitted to a respite house before returning home again on March 25.

Senior coroner Timothy Brennand heard how Mrs Critchley collected her dogs’ ashes, which she then buried in her husband’s grave and made frequent taxi journeys to chemists where she would stock up on over-the-counter medication.

On the evening of April 7 or morning of April 8 she took another overdose of paracetamol and caffeine, found in commonly used cold and flu medications, and the next day was discovered dead on her bed, having left a letter and a dress laid out beside her.

A post-mortem concluded that she died from caffeine toxicity which caused a sudden fatal heartbeat. The effects of the caffeine were exacerbated by prescribed medication she was taking for high blood pressure.

The court heard that because Mrs Critchley had lived only for her husband, she had no other interests to focus on to help her deal with her loss and she would not accept offered assistance from her extended family Although grief-stricken, she was not mentally ill and was of sound mind and Mr Brennand stated that the authorities involved in her care had followed all the correct procedures to try and support her and prevent her death.

Recording a conclusion of suicide he said: “She was within the depths of grieving and a bereavement because of the loss of her beloved husband, Norman.

“It is clear to me that Delyse Marie Critchley lived for her husband. She was somebody who dedicated her life to supporting her husband in whatever activity he chose and saw fit to perform.

“He was a much-admired, long-serving local councillor, serving with distinction as the town’s mayor – a role which she would, no doubt, have regarded, arguably, as the high point of her life.

“Without her husband she, in my judgement, lost the will and appetite to live.”