Some may be more well known than others, but all had a place in someone’s heart and in our communities.
Here we make space to recognise those whose deaths have been announced in the pages of the Derbyshire Times this week.
For more details on how they will be remembered, including funeral arrangements, and how to leave your own tributes, go to legacy.com/uk/obituaries/derbyshiretimes-uk/browse.
1. Dr Robert Coates MBE, Matlock
Born on Merseyside, and a local resident since 1978, Dr Coates passed away at the Presentation Sisters Care Centre, aged 92. Known to most as Peter, his vocation as a doctor was his greatest pride. Deciding on the profession aged 12, after qualifying he worked as a missionary medic in Zaire (now DR Congo) for 30 years, either side of a decade as a Matlock GP. In 1973, he was awarded an MBE for services to medicine and the community in Zaire. He loved bird-watching, nature, photography, painting, the music of Mozart, walking, travel and coffee and cake with his family. He was also an elder and trustee of Steep Turnpike Evangelical Church. Predeceased by his wife Ruth in 2022, Peter leaves children Annie, James Coates and Elisabeth, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/PeterCoates. Photo: Contributed
2. Karen Hopkinson, Ashgate
Born in Chesterfield and a lifelong local resident, Karen passed away at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, aged 64. A midday supervisor at Brampton Primary School until retirement, away from the canteen she enjoyed collecting antique pottery, playing and listening to music, visiting historic houses and gardens, holidays and spending time with her family. Karen leaves her husband David, sons Alex and Danny, their partners Sorcha and Lauren, her mother Dorothy, sisters Janice and Lindsey, and wider family. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/KarenHopkinson. Photo: Contributed
3. Brian Astell, Loundsley Green
Born in Chesterfield and a lifelong local resident, Brian passed away at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, aged 87. He spent his career with British Rail, and in spare hours enjoyed a game of darts or bowls. Predeceased by his wife Kathleen, Brian leaves leaves a brother, a sister and step family. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/BrianAstell. Photo: Contributed
4. Iris Grundy, Chesterfield
A lifelong Chesterfield resident, Iris passed away at the age of 75. As a young woman she worked at Greaves's Chemists on Low Pavement and the Angel pub. In later years she took an assistant role at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, until retiring early due to ill health. She liked to fill her time with knitting, crochet, and her family and friends. Iris leaves her long-term partner Graham, daughter Theresa, grandchildren Alicia, Tia and Jody, and great-granddaughter Isla-Mae. Read more at https://tinyurl.com/IrisGrundy. Photo: Contributed