Shropshire widow 'died of a broken heart'

An 81-year-old Shropshire woman died of a broken heart just two weeks after her husband of nearly 60 years passed away, her niece claimed today.

Margaret Eleanor Bucknall, of Barclay Gardens, Donnington, Telford died at the Princess Royal Hospital.

On Boxing Day, her 82-year-old husband Arthur William Bucknall, known as Allan, died at the same hospital.

The couple's niece, Maureen Minton, said Mrs Bucknall was broken-hearted at the loss of her husband, whom she met in junior school in Telford.

"It was a broken heart," said Mrs Minton.

"She said 'he was in her heart', I just think she didn't want to go on. They were always together and they're both together now."

Allan, a retired foreman at G K N Sankey Ltd, Hadley, married Margaret, who worked at MOD Donnington, in 1951 and the couple moved to Queens Road, Donnington, before living at nearby School Road.

Describing his father Allan, son David said: "He was the type of person that would do anything for you. He was a keen carpenter and spent a lot of time in the garage, he made all sorts for the local shops."

A double funeral service will take place at St Matthew's Church, Donnington Wood, on January 25, at 12.45pm, followed by committal at Telford Crematorium.