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Funeral held for sitcom actress | Funeral held for sitcom actress |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A service of thanksgiving has been held in memory of actress Kathy Staff, who played Nora Batty in long-running BBC One sitcom Last Of The Summer Wine. | A service of thanksgiving has been held in memory of actress Kathy Staff, who played Nora Batty in long-running BBC One sitcom Last Of The Summer Wine. |
The 80-year-old, who was from Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, died last week following an illness. | The 80-year-old, who was from Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, died last week following an illness. |
Dozens of mourners attended the public service at St Mark's Church in the town on Tuesday. | Dozens of mourners attended the public service at St Mark's Church in the town on Tuesday. |
The Reverend Alison Cox said both the church and Mrs Staff's family had been overwhelmed by messages of support. | The Reverend Alison Cox said both the church and Mrs Staff's family had been overwhelmed by messages of support. |
Ms Cox told mourners that Mrs Staff was born around the corner from the church, arranged outings for the congregation, visited the sick and elderly, and embodied old-fashioned and traditional values - hard work, community, family and faith. | |
Actor Peter Sallis who played Norman Clegg says he's "terribly upset" | Actor Peter Sallis who played Norman Clegg says he's "terribly upset" |
"She was very cheerful, very easy to get to know, very generous with her time and very supportive of community activities here in Dukinfield." | "She was very cheerful, very easy to get to know, very generous with her time and very supportive of community activities here in Dukinfield." |
Mrs Staff was an active member of her local church, and Ms Cox added: "I can't really start to imagine what life is going to be like without her." | |
The actress appeared as battleaxe Nora Batty in 243 episodes of the Yorkshire-based comedy, beginning in the first episode in January 1973. | The actress appeared as battleaxe Nora Batty in 243 episodes of the Yorkshire-based comedy, beginning in the first episode in January 1973. |
She also played cleaner Doris Luke in long-running ITV soap Crossroads and appeared in Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and with David Jason and Ronnie Barker in Open All Hours. | She also played cleaner Doris Luke in long-running ITV soap Crossroads and appeared in Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and with David Jason and Ronnie Barker in Open All Hours. |
'Huge affection' | 'Huge affection' |
The actress's daughters, Katherine and Susan, and her husband, John, sat among mourners who smiled and laughed as a eulogy from actor Roy Barraclough was read out recalling their early years. | |
The former Coronation Street star told how their careers criss-crossed, and that their final appearance together was on the Last of the Summer Wine, where he played a flower-arranging suitor for Nora.Nora Batty was Kathy Staff's most enduring TV role | |
"As was seen then, and as I've seen down the years, the general public had huge affection for Kathy and the roles she played," he told the congregation. | "As was seen then, and as I've seen down the years, the general public had huge affection for Kathy and the roles she played," he told the congregation. |
"No one could have come close to her portrayal of Nora Batty." | "No one could have come close to her portrayal of Nora Batty." |
Her death means that Peter Sallis, who played Norman Clegg, is the only one of Last of The Summer Wine's leading cast members left alive. | Her death means that Peter Sallis, who played Norman Clegg, is the only one of Last of The Summer Wine's leading cast members left alive. |
Brian Wilde, who played pompous ex-army corporal Foggy Dewhirst, died in March, aged 80. | Brian Wilde, who played pompous ex-army corporal Foggy Dewhirst, died in March, aged 80. |
Bill Owen, who starred as welly-wearing rogue Compo for 28 years, passed away in 1999, while Dame Thora Hird, who played village gossip Edie Pegden, died in 2003. | Bill Owen, who starred as welly-wearing rogue Compo for 28 years, passed away in 1999, while Dame Thora Hird, who played village gossip Edie Pegden, died in 2003. |
A memorial fund has also been set up in Mrs Staff's memory at St Mark's. | A memorial fund has also been set up in Mrs Staff's memory at St Mark's. |