| Location | Halifax |
| Age | 46 years |
| Date of Death | 9/2007 |
| Visitors | 1,355 since 13/09/2007 |
| Creator |
BARRETT Mary Alexandra On Sunday, September 9, 2007, at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Mary, aged 46
years. The respected landlady of the Rising Sun, Elland, beloved wife and best friend of Chris, a
much loved mum of Lauren, Chloe and Abigail, a dear sister, sister-in-law and friend to all who knew
her, she will be sadly missed. The service will be held at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland, on Friday,
September 14, at 3.30 pm. Family flowers only please by request, donations to Cancer Research would
be much appreciated, for which a plate will be provided. Marys family has requested that black is
not compulsory. Will friends please meet at the crematorium and accept this as the only intimation.
Story from the Halifax Evening Courier 13th September 07
A WOMAN fulfilled a lifelong dream to run her own pub – only for cancer to strike her down.
Mary Alexandra Barrett had a bubbly personality and served thousands of pub customers over the
years.
And in 2006 she finally switched from barmaid to licensee when she took over the Rising Sun, Elland,
with husband Chris, and their three daughters – Lauren, 24, Chloe, 21, and Abigail, 16.
Mrs Barrett died at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, aged 46.
Now her heartbroken family cannot face running the pub without her and plan to move out.
Two weeks before she was diagnosed with cancer in March, Mrs Barrett started suffering from
headaches that did not respond to medication.
Tests revealed lung cancer and a brain tumour and her health rapidly deteriorated.
Husband Chris, a greenkeeper at Willow Valley Golf Club, Brighouse, said: "On Saturday I could
not wake her and we called an ambulance."
He added: "It was her dream to have her own pub. She got her dream – but everything has gone
wrong. She was too young to die.
"Last week she had one of her better weeks and was able to come downstairs and talk to
customers."
The couple were married for 23 years and he has wonderful memories of their time together. They met
when Mrs Barrett worked as a barmaid at the Fleece, Elland.
She had also worked at the former Ingwood Restaurant, West Vale, the Shay Hotel, Halifax, Country
House Inn, Hipperholme, and the Puzzle Hall, Sowerby Bridge.
She was manager at the Rock Inn, Holywell Green, before becoming a licensee and had been a
childminder for 21 years.
Daughter Chloe left her TV and film studies course at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, to return home
to care for her mum when she became ill. She said: "It is really hard for us but we know now
she is not in pain any more."
Lauren, who works at CIS Insurance, Elland, said her mum was a big tennis fan but her dream job was
behind the bar.
"We have promised our mum we will always stay close and look after each other," she said.
Abigail is in the sixth form at Brooksbank School, Elland. She said: "I will miss her like mad
but I'm glad she was here for my GCSEs."
Since taking over the pub, the family and their customers have raised nearly £10,000 for the West
Yorkshire Forget-me-Not Trust which is fund-raising for a children's hospice and respite
centre.
Please light a candle or leave a tribute in memory of Mary, thank you
Auntie Mary
hey auntie mary, miss you so much, always thinking of you, and always will, love always Andrew
Hi Mum
Hi mum
Merry christmas, im getting excited but wish you were here, as you know its been a hard few months after loosing the baby but me and Wayne are trying again so i promise you it wont be long till your a granny ha ha and even dad is looking forward to been grandpa, just hope im a fantastic mum like you are!! you always said i should not settle for less than been treated like a princess and Wayne is amazing love him to bits, i always tell him about you and i think you would have loved him.
Miss you like crazy more than words can explain and just want you back, abby says you have to stop hiding her things she knows its you hehe
Love you forever xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
hya mary
hya mary sorry i havent been on here for a while a just thought i would let you no that i have got a job now workin with kids just like u enjoyed doing before you got the pub. me and my mum think about you every day. nikki has moved out now but we no she thinks abotu you alot. Abi did my hair and make up for my prom and she even chose my dress for me. If you had seen me that day you would of been proud. Chris couldnt believe his eyes when he saw me in a dress. Haha..A lust thought i would let you no how were all doing so nyt nyt mary miss and love you loads and loads xxxx
I worked with mary at the shay & the country house she was such a caring thoughtful person & always managed to light up a room with her smile! she would make me laugh when i was having a bad day and tell me there was more to life than worrying about little things! she will be missed so much & never far from my thoughts
rest in peace mary
xx
a loved childminder
alothough you have gone now you are always in mi thoughts
a very loved and sadly missed
lotz of love always chloe x x x x x x
missing you
Missing you sooooo much Aunty Mary cant believe you have gone so soon we are all missing you your never going to be forgotten love you x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
a lady
i not long ago lost my mum 2 lung cancer, and my grandson corben 6 months later, the most precious people in my life! sorry i did not make it with paul 2 the funeral, but i was thinking of you all. mary is a brill person, i remember her making a fuss of corben on the 2006 bed push because of his own illness, thanks for all you do 4 for-get-not, a great charity. xxx
For the short time I knew you Mary It was a pleasure and time shouldn’t have been so short which is heartbreaking. Joining you the day that Abi sang at the piece Hall and seeing the proud look on your face was heart melting, Abi blew us all away, she’s got a fantastic voice and Abi has you to thank for that. You have three lovely girls Mary which I am proud to know.
Lending Lauren my car while I was on holiday gave you and Lauren the opportunity to have that lovely Monday together which I will cherish, you said you was going to get Lauren to run you around and she loved doing it.
I like to think Mary that they need that extra special person in the sky’s and that’s why such a special person had to go, you warmed so many hearts. Rest in peace I know you will protect your loved ones and you will be sadly missed love Shirley xx
such a lovely lady
Well what can i say every one as wrote what i was going to write.Maybe my main thoughts are when you worked at the Shay with Pam.Your lovely smile melted many a persons heart.Your chatty voice made people feel so at ease.And you as a person on your own rite Mary ,was a wonderful person.You will be missed by lots ,please wrap your arms round your girls give them hugs ,they have lost The Best MOM IN THE WORLD.When you get to the Angels Garden Mary give my DaD A HUG (david Burnside) RIP Mary, i will visit again soon, all my luv to your family.xxxxxx Lesley
so sorry
hi, i didnt know mary but i wish the family lits of love and strenth, i know exaxtly how it feels to loose a loved one , i lost my brother aged 37 in april(trvor hamilton) he had a brain tumour which was cancer to. from my heart be strong, lovely mary will be dancing with the angels, and at peace, all my love to you all lyndseyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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