Plea for return of ashes after widow’s street robbery death

A FAMILY has appealed for the return of the ashes of a widow’s late husband which were stolen in a street robbery.

Nellie Geraghty, 79, died in hospital from a head injury she suffered as she desperately tried to cling on to her handbag containing the ashes of her partner, Frank, who died 17 years ago.

She was attacked in the street near her home in Shaw, near Oldham, on Thursday lunchtime.

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The handbag, which also contained £200 in cash, was taken but the strap was still clasped in the hand of the former school cleaner, who is thought to have put up a fierce struggle.

Her family said yesterday that Mrs Geraghty carried the ashes everywhere with her and wished to be cremated with them so they could be scattered together on Mr Geraghty’s allotment. The ashes were secured in a small box in a blue velvet drawstring bag.

The couple were married for 42 years.

Her sister, Maureen Barrow, 67, said: “That has always been our fear, that one day her bag would be stolen because basically she wouldn’t have wanted to carry on living unless he was there.

“This is why she put up such a fight. Her husband’s ashes had been with her for 17 years. This is why she put up such a fight. For Frank she laid down her life.”

Two boys, aged 14 and 17, have been questioned on suspicion of her murder and have been released on bail until January 9.

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