Irlam and Cadishead said a sad, but fond farewell to two well respected and much loved ‘locals’ recently, with the funerals of Norman Lowndes and Margaret Nelson fittingly carried out by the COOP Funeral Services in Cadishead formerly Bert Johnson’s Funeral Directors. The well-established and respected funeral services were known well to both Norman and Margaret with both having either family or working ties to the Bert Johnson Funeral home and latterly the COOP Funeral Services on the corner of Hayes Road and Liverpool Road in Cadishead. Norman sadly passed away on New Years Eve and was the Grandson of Bert Johnson the original founder of the funeral home in Cadishead and nephew of Bert Johnson the younger who followed into the family business. Norman was offered the opportunity to take over the family business from him, but preferred being a greengrocer. With the funeral home business instead sold to United Norwest Co-operatives Ltd (now COOP). Margaret, moved to the area from Scotland many years ago, formerly an Officer in the Salvation Army and active congregation member and committed community worker at youth clubs and other venues around the district. She worked for United Norwest Co-operatives Ltd at Bert Johnson funeral home for 12 years, retiring in 1999. Margaret attended an open day at the COOP Funeral Home in Cadishead, last May and shared memories of working there, met all the team and shared memories with Norman who was also their as Guest of honour for the day. Both pillars of the local society reflecting on the history and their own connections with the Bert Johnson funeral home that has served the Irlam and Cadishead Community since 1914. Kate Ramsey said, “We found out about Norman via an article in the Irlam and Cadishead Community Magazine the ‘Local Mag’. He kept in touch and became a friend of the BJ team. Sharing stories of his Farming family, and life as a businessman and local greengrocer.” Norman was well known for his love of telling stories and a Member of St Paul’s Methodist Church. Supporting and taking part in numerous community activities and organisations. He had a new lease of life in recent years after beating a terminal illness. Often seen touring the area on his mobility scooter, shopping at Tesco and watching the bowls at greens around the town. Norman died on New Year’s Eve and Margaret on New Year’s Day. Their funerals were held on 29th January and 23rd January respectively. With the COOP providing alongside family and friends flowers and tributes a very fitting vegetable arrangement for Norman and a lovely floral display for Margaret from COOP colleagues. Kate Ramsey, funeral arranger for COOP at B Johnson’s added, “It was a real treat to meet both Norman and Margaret at our Open Day last year, and to learn from them of times gone by here. The funeral home is such a central part of the local community with generations of local families having been cared for since Bert Johnson established his business in 1914. Looking after Norman, Margaret and their families following their deaths at New Year was a special privilege for us and it felt fitting that they both came home to B Johnson.”
