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. Maurice Gallagher, Brimington
Born in Chesterfield and a lifelong local resident, Maurice passed away aged 71. At one time working for the highways authority laying tarmac and gritting roads in winter, in the 1990s he went self-employed as a landscape gardener and later served as a Royal Mail postman. Days off were full of football, whether Manchester United or watching his sons in grassroots games. He also enjoyed gardening, caravan breaks in Skegness, and time with his family. Maurice leaves his wife Sharon, children Sean, Carl and Lisa, grandchildren Joshua, William, Maisie, Daisy, Lyla and Jax, great-granddaughter Harriet, and siblings Christine, Evelyn and David. Read more at tinyurl.com/MauriceGallagher. Photo: Contributed
2. Joan Williamson, Newbold
Born in Calow and a lifelong local resident, Joan passed away at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, aged 94. After a first decade as a primary school teacher, she then devoted her working years to home and family. As a young woman, she enjoyed ballroom dancing and cycling, more recently she took pleasure in gardening, reading, photography and being part of U3A. Above all she loved spending time with her family. Predeceased by her husband Bob in 2016, Joan leaves daughters Lynda and Karen, sons-in-law David and Paul, grandchildren Dani, Charlie, Georgina and Abbie, and great-grandchildren Elsie and Luke. Read more at tinyurl.com/JoanWilliamson. Photo: Contributed
3. Sally Greensmith, Clay Cross
Born in Kingston upon Thames, Sally came to settle in the Chesterfield area for 38 years. She passed away at Brookholme Croft Nursing Home in Hasland, aged 74. As a young woman, she worked at the Government communications agency, the Central Office of Information, in London. After moving north, she served in a variety of support staff roles at Derbyshire Constabulary's Ripley headquarters. At home, she was a keen cat owner and gardener, who liked to watch the birds come and go. She also enjoyed travel, most recently a cruise of the Canary Islands. Sally leaves her children Rob and Emma, and grandchildren Jessica, Daniel and Rocco. Read more at tinyurl.com/SallyGreensmith. Photo: Contributed
4. Bill Bryan, Nether Langwith
Born in Chesterfield and a lifelong local resident, Bill passed away at home, aged 89. A colliery manager until his retirement in 1990, that left him more time to research the First and Second World wars, including visits to many battlefield cemeteries, as well as wider reading, watching rugby, greenhouse gardening and collecting coins, stamps and medals. Predeceased by his wife Pauline in 2014 and son Andrew in 2021, Bill leaves daughter Julie, daughter-in-law Susan, grandson Sebastian, and step grandchildren Lola, Ellis, Lennon and Jude. Read more at tinyurl.com/BillBryan26. Photo: Contributed