Tributes paid to beloved former Stowmarket lollipop lady

Many people who attended Stowmarket Middle School in Walnut Tree Walk will remember Angela Smith, for she was the school’s lollipop lady for almost a decade.

Kind, friendly and always happy to chat, Angela would make sure the children got to school safely, and had a cheerful smile for them when the school day was finished.

Angela was born on September 19, 1950. Originally an Essex girl, Angela grew up in Billericay with her parents, Pamela and Douglas Crickmore, and her brother, Wayne. She later moved to Colchester.

Angela was a loving mum to her three daughters, Sianne, Kirsty and Keziah. Credit: Family of Angela Smith (Image: Family of Angela Smith)

Angela Smith was a caring woman, who would always go out of her way to help others. Credit: Family of Angela Smith (Image: Family of Angela Smith)

Angela grew up going to church, for there was always an element of faith in her family.

Her faith was something that became more and more important as Angela grew older, explained Angela’s eldest daughter, Sianne. As an adult, Angela was even a junior church leader – a Sunday school teacher, as it might otherwise be known.

When she was in her 30s, Angela moved to Stowmarket. It was here that she raised her three daughters, Sianne, Kirsty and Keziah.

Angela put a lot of thought into naming her girls, explained Sianne. After marrying a Smith, she was determined to give them unique, interesting names that would make them stand out.

It was in Stowmarket that Angela found the job that many people will remember her from – a lollipop lady outside Stowmarket middle school, a job she had from 1990 to 1999.

“Half the town grew up with Mum,” said Sianne. “She was there the whole time we were at school.”

All the children knew and loved Angela, and would talk to her on their way in and out of school.

This could sometimes pose problems for Angela’s own children.

“We could never get away with anything without Mum finding out, because all our friends would tell her!” said Sianne. “They would talk to her like they were buddies.”

Angela grew up in Essex, but lived and worked in Suffolk for many years. Credit: Family of Angela Smith (Image: Family of Angela Smith)

Angela Smith was loved by the children at Stowmarket Middle School during her years as a lollipop lady. Credit: Family of Angela Smith (Image: Family of Angela Smith)

Angela's daughter, Sianne, said that she loved her job caring for people in Ipswich. Family of Angela Smith (Image: Family of Angela Smith)

After hanging up her lollipop, Angela embarked on a second career. In her mid-50s, she became a senior carer at Golden Days Retirement Home in Whitton.

Caring, said Sianne, was the real “love of her life”, for it fitted perfectly with Angela’s kind, motherly nature.

She had always been a caring woman, even before she began caring. Sianne explained that her mother was always the kind of neighbour who would check on her elderly neighbours, knocking on their doors if she hadn’t seen them for a few days, just to make sure they were alright.

She loved nothing better than to chat with the people she took care of.

Angela moved into sheltered accommodation in herself seven years ago, going to live in a flat in Stratford Road, Ipswich.

“She loved it there,” said Sianne. “Mum was never one to sit at home. She’d be going to town on the bus, and playing bingo with the other residents.

Angela died in Ipswich hospital on Thursday, January 12 aged 72, after a fall at home.

She will be sorely missed by all her family, and her many friends.

“She had a heart of gold,” said Sianne. “She was an outspoken lady, but she had a heart of gold underneath."

Tributes have also been paid this month to Bryan Boreham, a Felixstowe man who was instrumental in the success of the town's port.

To read more tributes to those from Suffolk who we have loved and lost, visit: www.eadt.co.uk/news/obituaries