South Yorkshire Times January 13
One of Oldest Residents ~Mrs Astbury – dies
Conisborough and Denaby lost one of the oldest residents on Monday by the death at the home ofher younger son, Mr W Astbury, 160, Doncaster road, Conisborough, of Mrs Mary Ann Astbury, the widow of Mr James Astbury of Denaby. Mrs Astbury was 86 and had been ill about 18 months. She suffered a seizure, from which she never recovered andher passing was also hastened by the sudden death of a daughter, Mrs Emily Phipps (old Denaby) in November.
A native of Staffordshire, Mrs Astbury, who has been a widow or 38 years, came to this district 60 years ago, and for 40 years, resided in Denaby. The remainder of later life she spent at Conisborough; she lived with her younger son, and before moving to Doncaster Road six months ago, had for 18 years lived on Clifton Hill. For 27 years she was caretaker of the Denaby Main Institute, but retired 20 years ago.
She remembered the district when it was very much different from what it is today; she remembered the time when Denaby Main Colliery had a wooden headgear, when it was burnt down in the early 80s, and was replaced by iron head gear; of the arrival in the district of the late Mr W.H.Chambers; and of the time when St Chad’s, now demolished, was the church for Denaby.
In her early days there were no houses between Rossington Street and the Station Hotel; instead there was beautiful countryside. She could also recall the erection of the Large Hall, the Wesleyan Chapel and the Parish Church. She attended St Chad’s church, and later, until advancing age prevented her presence, she was a regular worshipper at Denaby Parish Church.
Mrs Astbury was a member of the Primrose league for many years, and was one of the original members of the Denaby Main Industrial Cooperative Society. She leaves two sons and three daughters.