Family of much-loved Wolverhampton lollipop lady who was always ‘armed with sweets' stop funeral procession to hand chocolates out to tribute payers
Dozens of people gathered to pay tribute to a much-loved Wolverhampton lollipop lady who passed away aged 91.
The funeral procession for school crossing warden Patricia Hunting, who was always ‘armed with pockets full of sweets and a friendly smile', passed along the road that she guided school children across for almost 50 years.
In a touching tribute, members of Pat's family paused the procession to hand sweets out to the people who had come out to show their love to their beloved mother and grandmother.
Members of the public including teachers, parents and former pupils from SS Mary and John’s Catholic Primary Academy and Grove Primary School were in attendance on Pond Lane to pay their respects to Pat, who joined Wolverhampton Council in 1976.
In her role as a lollipop lady she would guide pupils and parents across the road near the junction with Caledonia Road, earning the affection of families across multiple generations.
One man who came to pay his respects was Loxley Brown, who remembered Pat from when he was just 10 years old.
Loxley Brown said: "I was 10 in 1966 and I remember Pat then she was always lovely and kept a supply of sweets to hand out to the kids. I don't think you will find another lollipop lady like her and I came up a few days ago with a few other people to tidy up for the funeral."
In 2023, Pat was presented with a council long service award by former Mayor of Wolverhampton Dr Michael Hardacre and she continued to be employed by the council up until her death.
Paying tribute to her sister Joyce Evans, 88, said: "Pat absolutely loved her job, and she was loved by all the children, parents and grandparents – most of who she has also helped cross the road over the years.
“It wasn’t just a job to her, it was her life, her love and her happiness and she always looked forward to seeing ‘her children’ as she would call them.
“She was always armed with pockets full of sweets and no matter what the weather she wanted to do right by the children, as she always did with her family – she always told her grandchildren ‘I love you to the moon and back’ and she absolutely did.
“All the family are heartbroken, and I am immensely proud to call her my sister, we will all miss her dearly.”
Teachers and staff pf SS Mary and John's Catholic Primary Academy came out to pay their respects. Claire Dawes said: "She was a very big part of the school community, very devoted for over 50 years and the children have always spoke fondly of her as do the staff.
"She used to make sure all the kids got some sweets or a lollipop and her granddaughter got out of the car today to make sure they did which was a lovely touch."
