Last respects paid to Oswestry's former mayor

Politicians and councillors from throughout Shropshire turned out in force to pay their respects at the funeral of former Oswestry mayor Doris Barrow.

The funeral of Mrs Barrow, mother of current Shropshire Council leader Keith Barrow, was held at St Oswald's Church in Oswestry yesterday.

Mrs Barrow was a member of one of the county's most prominent political families.

As well as her son being the leader of Shropshire Council, her daughter-in-law Joyce is a county councillor and her grandchildren Kirsty and James served on the former Oswestry borough authority.

Mrs Barrow died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital last month at the age of 87 after a long illness.

The well-known Oswestrian became an Oswestry Town councillor for Castle ward in 1999 and served until July 2010.

She became mayor of the town in 2007.

Hundreds of mourners attended her funeral service in Oswestry yesterday.

Among them was Government cabinet minister and MP for North Shropshire Owen Paterson.

The Northern Ireland Secretary was accompanied by his wife Rose.

Many Shropshire councillors attended the service including Oswestry-based representatives Martin Bennett, Bill Benyon, Vince Hunt and Shropshire Council speaker David Lloyd.

And many Oswestry town councillors who served alongside Mrs Barrow were also present topay their last respects.

Oswestry Town Council clerk David Preston gave a reading, as did Mrs Barrow's grandson James Barrow.

Her son Keith gave the eulogy and told how his mother worked tirelessly all her life.

First when she took over a corner shop and then when she became an agent for a carpet company which turned into a business on Oswestry's Bailey Street. She worked until she was 82, he said.

Councillor Barrow said that his mother had carried on bravely despite being diagnosed with a serious illness some years ago and he revealed he had often tried to get her to retire.

He said: "But you didn't make her do anything she didn't want to do.

"She was a workaholic, that was the way she was."

The council leader added: "I have been quite moved by the hundreds of cards we have had from well wishers and the kind wishes from many people.

"Mum was very proud to be an Oswestry mayor and a very proud of being an Oswestrian," added Councillor Barrow

Mrs Barrow's funeral service at St Oswald's Church was followed by interment in Trefarclawdd Cemetery, Trefonen.