Funeral service in memory of much-loved Councillor Susan Dearden

Residents are invited to attend the service at Oldham Parish Church from 1.30pm for a 2pm start.

Following the funeral service, there will be a private cremation for the family and close friends only.

The service has been planned and organised by the late Labour councillor, who represented Chadderton Central on Oldham Council.

The 64-year-old asked Rev Howard Sutcliffe - a family friend of many years - and the Borough Dean of Oldham, Rev Jean Hurlston, to conduct the funeral.

Rev Hurlston said: "Susan contacted us both before Christmas. She had already worked out the sort of funeral she would like to have.

"She had thought through the music, the order of service, and asked for the Saddleworth Singers, of which she was a member, to be heavily involved.

"We have incorporated everything she wanted, right down to a poem she loved.

"There is an element of fun within the service - we have been able to incorporate her personality.

"Susan has always been a very strong person and it has been demonstrated in the funeral.

"She has made it much easier for us because we feel assured we are doing this exactly as she would have wanted."

Cllr Dearden, a mother-of-two and grandmother-to-three, died at the Royal Oldham Hospital on Saturday, February 10 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the end of September 2017.

There will be a retiring collection at the service for Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.