• Devastated family appeal for missing ashes to be returned
  • Two teenagers, 14 and 17, arrested on suspicion of robbery

By Jonathan Petre

Last updated at 3:48 PM on 27th November 2011


A widow has died after trying to fight off thieves who snatched a handbag containing her husband's ashes.

Nellie Geraghty clung desperately to her bag during the mugging and was found unconscious but still clutching the broken handle.

The 79-year-old, who was only 5ft tall, suffered fatal head injuries in the attack.

Nellie Geraghty had been carrying the ashes of her husband Frank (pictured) in her handbag when she was robbed near her home on Thursday

Nellie Geraghty had been carrying the ashes of her husband Frank (pictured) in her handbag when she was robbed near her home on Thursday

Tragic: Nellie Geraghty, 79, died in hospital following the robbery of the handbag containing her husband's ashes near her home in Oldham.

Tragic: Nellie Geraghty, 79, died in hospital following the robbery of the handbag containing her husband's ashes near her home in Oldham.

Two youths, aged 14 and 17, have been arrested and were yesterday being questioned by murder squad officers.

The pensioner's handbag, which was missing from the scene, contained a blue velvet bag holding the ashes of her husband in a small box, and also 200 cash.

Mrs Geraghty was so devoted to her late husband Frank, she had carried the ashes with her since his death 17 years ago.

The retired school cleaner, described by police as 'sprightly', was found collapsed and unconscious in an alleyway near her home in Oldham, Greater Manchester, just before midday on Thursday. She had been on her way to a regular lunch date at a nearby community centre.

She was taken to Royal Oldham Hospital where her sister Maureen, 69, kept a vigil at her bedside, but she died at about midnight on Friday.

Mrs Geraghty briefly regained consciousness in hospital and in the hours before her death is understood to have begged officers to find the ashes, saying they were 'the most important thing for the family'.

Vicious: The widow was attacked near Laurel House (pictured) in the Oldham area of Manchester

Vicious: The widow was attacked near Laurel House (pictured) in the Oldham area of Manchester

Her neighbour Jean Lord said: 'All her friends at the social club knew that she carried her husband's ashes with her. They were very precious to her. It's so sad. I really can't believe what has happened.'

Mrs Lord, 82, added: 'Nellie liked a laugh and was very active. She never sat down. She was a real live-wire.'

Mrs Geraghty, who lost her parents while she was in her 20s, met her husband when they both worked in the cotton mills. The couple had four children, one of whom died from cancer five years ago.

Her family said in a statement: 'Nellie is much loved and will always be remembered by all her friends and family.

Vigil: Nellie Geraghty was taken to The Royal Oldham Hospital

Vigil: Nellie Geraghty was taken to The Royal Oldham Hospital

'We have lost the best mum in the world, the best sister, grandmother, auntie and friend a person could ever have. The world would be a better place if there were more people like you. Heaven will be blessed with your presence. Our sad loss in Heaven's gain.'

Superintendent Catherine Hankinson, of Greater Manchester Police, said the theft would shock 'even hardened criminals'.

'I would appeal to anyone who may have found the bag to understand the emotional significance of what was inside it and to contact us if they have any information,' she said.

'This is an absolutely dreadful thing that has happened.

'My officers have spoken to this lady's sister and she is as shocked as anybody else would be. We have police officers with her.'

In a separate incident, a woman was robbed of a ring containing the compacted ashes of her dead husband in a mugging in Birmingham.

The white gold 'life ring' was among several pieces of jewellery taken. Police said the ashes were contained in a light blue stone set within the ring.

Detective Constable Kuly Sikham said: 'If those responsible for the theft still have the ring, we would urge them to return it at the earliest opportunity by any means necessary.'

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