A FOUNDER of Bolton Samaritans, Mrs Elsie Hargreaves, has died in Bolton Royal Infirmary. Mrs Hargreaves was the wife of Mr Alan Hargreaves, who was killed in the Harrow and Wealdstone train disaster in 1962. She lived for many years on Devonshire Road, and on her retirement, at 'Hollywood', Church Road, and later The Clough Residential Home, Chorley New Road.

Mrs Hargreaves was secretary to the headmaster, the Rev J W Packer of Canon Slade Grammar School from 1953-1983. During that period she became one of the founder members of the Bolton Samaritans and supported the befriending organisation for 20 years.

Mrs Hargreaves was a dedicated member of St George's Road Congregational Church which became St Andrew's and St George United Reformed Church, where she served as an elder and the Church Secretary to two ministers for many years. She was also an active member of the church choir and secretary of the Women's Guild.

After her retirement she worked tirelessly with the WRVS, the Church Day Centre supporting the mentally and physically handicapped and the Christian Traidshop in Bolton. She leaves a daughter Patricia and son David.

The funeral service will take place on Friday at 1.30pm. at St Andrew's and St George's United Reformed Church, followed by cremation at Overdale (East Chapel) at 2.15pm.

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