Tribute paid to Tarleton grandmother found dead at home

Jul 24 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

Anne Sutton, strangled Lancashire grandmother who was found dead at her home _220

A LOCAL minister has paid tribute to a strangled Lancashire grandmother who was found dead at her home.

Anne Sutton, 71, was found dead by police at 10am on Tuesday after they were called to her house on Hesketh Lane, Tarleton apparently by her husband John, 81.

Police arrested her husband, known locally as Jack, on suspicion of murder. Mr Sutton is being assessed under the Mental Health Act and has not been charged.

The Reverend D Kevin Jones, Methodist Minister at Hesketh Lane Methodist Church where Mrs Sutton was a life member, said she was a "gentle, kind and genuinely welcoming woman, with a quiet nature and a warm smile".

The couple had been married for 48 years and were both well known in the local community through their involvement with the chapel, where Anne was a steward for many years.

The minister added they were also known through their membership of local associations, Anne being a former president of the Tarleton Women's Aglow Fellowship.

He continued: "She had a strong Christian faith and raised her family in the church just yards form their door.

"Her gentleness was evident to all and she was the kind of person it was a pleasure to be with.

"The family are deeply saddened and seeking to come to terms with the sudden death of a loved mother and grandmother.

"They are all helping the police as much as possible in order to establish the precise circumstances surrounding her death.

"Jack, who has been ill for some time following a stroke, is still being interviewed by the police concerning her death.

"Because of this the family are concerned not only about the death of Anne but also deeply concerned for Jack.

"Anne leaves three married children, Janet, Karen and Barry as well as her grandchildren, who will all deeply miss her as they were a very close family."