- Alice unveiling a ceramic collage at Kirkby Church of England School as part of the 200th Anniversary celebrations
It is with a mixture of sadness and appreciation that we mark the death of Alice Wharton on Friday 4th December 2009. Alice lived in Kirkby for longer than any other person ever has. She moved to a residential home in Huyton only after her 100th birthday but has kept close links with many friends here until her death aged 102. St Chad’s has been her spiritual home through all her years. The church was only 32 years old when she was born
Alice Wharton, nee Appleton, was born at Rushton’s Farm, Kirkby, in 1907. The farm was situated by what was to become the Bird’s Eye Factory. She was educated at Kirkby Church of England School and has maintained close links with the school ever since. Her memories have given children a first-hand taste of history.
Our prayers are with her son Frank preparing for Alice’s funeral, which will be in Church followed by burial in the churchyard on Friday 11th December at 12.30pm
Links:
Alice’s memories of St Chad’s (pdf)
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Alice on the KMBC history web site in audio
It is worth viewing this and the subsequent 5 pages there
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Tim Stratford is the Team Rector of Kirkby, and the Team Vicar of St. Chad's Church.
Alice Wharton is a great loss to Kirkby and St Chad’s. Her fund of fascinating stories are something I will never forget. When I was teaching the History of WW2 to students at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk I invited Alice to come to Edge Hill on several occasions to tell some of her stories to the students. The course had a 3 hour slot which usually was occupied by a lecture, break, seminar. Once Alice started talking the students wouldn’t let her stop,asking uestions and sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to hear her answer! Every year it was the same – it was the only time in my experience when no one wanted a tea break and if they could get her to continue after the 3 hours they did! Many of them would follow us into the cafe and continue to talk to her over lunch. Absolutely fascinating lady, born story teller, who should have been a history teacher or author!
Alice Wharton was a lovely lady She was a rare diamond and will be greatly missed by all who knew her With her sense of fun and talent for story telling our Mothers Union meeting usually ended in riotous laughter.Alice was a staunch member of