Barbara Hilda Bebbington

“Our treasured memories keep you near.”

Barbara sadly passed away in the care of Leighton Hospital on the 20th August, aged 84 years.

The beloved wife of the late Nick. Devoted mum of Gill, Karen and Paul. Cherished nana of Kevin, Gary, Kate, Lisa, Luke, Kayley and Alex. And loving great nan of Gracie-Mai, Lennon, Dylon, Eathan and Neve.

A service to celebrate the life of Barbara will take place at the Crematorium Chapel in Crewe on Friday 2nd September at 1pm, followed by cremation.

Donations in memory of Barbara will be gratefully received on behalf of the Breathe Easy Lung Charity.

For further information please contact our funeral home on 01270 584447.

When thinking about Barbara’s character, one has to smile.  She was only petite but immense stamina.

She was incredibly patient and lovely with little ones and particularly enjoyed helping grandchildren and great grandchildren with their reading.  She also used to go into the school to help the children with their reading and spelling and often said to Gillian, “I didn’t know what the word myself!”

As a mum and nan, she was immensely funny, threatening them with all sorts if they didn’t behave!  She was strong minded, determined and head strong – the stricter one of the two and rigidly stuck in her ways!  She knew exactly how she wanted her washing pegged out and would grumble if one of the girls didn’t do it exactly right.

If Barbara had her way, which she frequently did, Gill would have to go to six supermarkets to get her mum’s shopping – but definitely not Aldi, she wouldn’t have Aldi at any cost – except latterly she took a liking to their biscuits.

Barbara used to send Kate for some shopping Cheerbrooks Farm Shop every week with a detailed list – including three tomatoes, five sprouts and one carrot!

Gill and Ken had to go to Marks every week – which of course made them spend more on their own shopping and Barbara rarely went a week without asking for a cardigan from M&S – she loved her clothes and accessories – especially scarves and handbags.

Paul very often used to take her shopping in years gone by when Nick was suffering from agoraphobia and couldn’t leave the house.  She was always extremely patient and understanding of Nick’s problems and although she relied on him for many things, she was his rock.

Remembering Barbara

Barbara, like Nick was born and bred in Crewe.  She went to school on Pedley Street and when she left, she became a button holer.

She and Nick met when they both seventeen.   There was a group of youngsters hanging out together around Lockett Street, the lads were riding their bikes and Nick asked Barbara if she wanted to get on his crossbar!  Even though she didn’t like him, she was tempted and thought I’ll give it a go!’  They married at Mill Street Chapel on Christmas Eve in 1956.  Walking to church with her umbrella up, Barbara was asked by someone if she was going shopping and she replied, ‘no I’m going to get married!’

Nick was home on leave from the Army, the wedding was a small affair with just Cyril and Barbara’s sister Sheila Mary as witnesses.  Barbara stayed at her mum and dads house until Nick had finished his National Service and after returning home, they lived with his parents, Cyril and Maud.  Gillian was born the same year but christened Sheila – and it seems she was named after the midwife Barbara had known from school days.

Nick returned to work at the railway after his Army discharge; he was one of the crucial Power Controllers at Railway House; Karen was born in 1958 followed by a beautiful little girl, Sally Ann who sadly died at birth.

Many years later, Barbara looked after a little baby whilst her friend recovered from illness.  When the baby returned home, Barbara became broody and in 1970, Paul Cyril Bebbington was born.

Nick was a skilled controller throughout his working life; and they were one of the first families in Crewe to have a telephone, the railway had it installed so that they could contact Nick and all the neighbours were very impressed, sometimes  knocking on the door to ask if they could use the phone.

After living with Cyril and Maud at Ravenscroft Road they moved into their first house on Gawsworth Avenue, but Barbara really didn’t like it and within twelve months they managed to get a swap to the house she loved on Wistaston Road.

They had wonderful family holidays in Towyn.  Gillian remembers the old round Astral caravan they had with no toilet or running water, long gone now but luxury in its heyday!  Barbara had only ever been on day trips to Blackpool, Rhyl and sunny Manchester so staying in a caravan on the caravan and camping site was a real adventure.

They also had fun filled holidays in a chalet at the Warren in Dawlish and in a flat on the seafront at Tinmouth.  Lot of holidays came into the conversation like going to Lido Beach at Prestatyn with Lisa and Gary and Paul and Sarah remember going to Porth Madoc with nan and grandad, Luke, Kayley and Alex and Gill recalled she and the family joined them.

For many years the two of them enjoyed Friday nights at the Rockwood with Sheila and Harry.  In 2018, Barbara and Nick shared an eightieth birthday party at the Woodside; it was a wonderful night which they both thoroughly enjoyed.

Nick loved to watch horseracing and spent many hours watching it on TV.  But Barbara loved her soaps and she also enjoyed programmes like Countryfile and Nature Watch and around three o’clock on weekdays – wo betide anyone interrupting Dickinsons Real Deal!  Even Gill knew not to call with her shopping around that time!  And watching people trying to sell their treasures, Barbara always said “I’ve got one of those!”

Both Barbara and Nick liked dogs and adored their three cairn terriers, Candy, Kelly and Suzie.   Kelly was a rescue dog they offered a home to after losing Candy.

Barbara loved Robins but attracted many more birds into the garden with the abundance of food she used to put out, including a pet blackbird that would feed out of her hand.  She disliked wood pigeons and squirrels because they constantly used to pinch the food she put out and she really didn’t like cats because she was worried, they would catch her precious birds.

Barbara sometimes joined Nick watching darts on TV and when the player Darell Gurney entered the match, the Irish player always sung Sweet Caroline, Nick would say ‘hey up, he’s arrived!’  so of course, the song had to be played at the ceremony in honour of them both.