We regret to report that Mrs. Mary Brightwell, widow of Mr. Thomas Brightwell, passed away on Sunday at 12.50p.m. after a fortnight’s illness. She had become unconscious a few days previously. Aged 89 years, Mrs. Brightwell was a daughter of Mr. William Sherwood, one of Rushden’s first boot manufacturers, and her mother, Mary Bayes, came of a local family of builders, and her husband was a founder and the first secretary of the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society. Mrs. Brightwell was born in Rushden and married in 1872, the Rev. Robert Emms Bradfield, father of Mr. C. L. Bradfield, conducting the ceremony. Her grandfather, Mr. Bayes, built the Baptist “Top Meeting,” and from childhood she worshipped there, being in her younger days the leading singer. These early associations resulted in her being the oldest member of the Park-road Baptist Church, and for some years she has been No. 1 on the church roll. She was baptised and joined the Baptist Church in 1860. Mr. Thomas Brightwell was one of a small group of enthusiasts who founded the Rushden Co-operative Society, opening the business in the front room of the late Mr. David Darnell’s house in Green’s Yard, now known as Albion-place. He was secretary of the society for many years, and during that period Mrs. Brightwell managed the drapery department, which was in High-street South. After her husband’s death on February 26th 1910, Mrs. Brightwell lived for most of the years with her older son, Mr. S. C. Brightwell. She was an old lady of great charm, and greatly loved by her friends, to whom she would relate many fascinating chapters from Rushden’s history. She had a wonderful memory, and all her faculties were well preserved. Her greatest regret was that in the last few years she was unable to walk, but until the middle of last year her son took her by car to attend the morning services at the Baptist Church, where she was held in high affection. She last attended a service in August, when she was taken to the church in a bath chair from York-road, where for the last few months of her life she resided in the care of Mr. and Mrs. James Sykes. The surviving children are Mr. S. C. Brightwell, the secretary of the Rushden and District Boot Manufacturers Association, and Mr. E. L. Brightwell, the hon. treasurer of the Northamptonshire Football Association. Miss Gwen Brightwell, the daughter of the elder son, is the only grandchild.