A funeral was held in
Northampton for a great-grandmother who was once part of
the largest family in the UK.
Florence Wilkinson, who died at the age of 77, was one of
20 children – including three sets of twins – born
to Spring Boroughs' couple Edward and Agnes Fullthorpe.
Mrs Wilkinson was buried at Kingsthorpe Cemetery following a funeral service
at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Northampton town centre.
Earlier, a horse-drawn cortege moved through the streets of the town after setting
off from WG Wilkinson florist in Abington Grove, Abington, where she and her
husband, Bill, lived and worked.
Mrs Wilkinson, who was known as Flo, is also survived by her four children, 10
grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Her 46-year-old son Garth said:"She was a well-loved, wonderful mum who was very well known in the community.
Dad worked in the florist shop for 41 years until his retirement and she was
always there to assist him.
"We always knew her as the family's chief cook and bottle-washer and she brought
up four children in a very loving, happy environment.
"She will be missed not only by her family but by the many people who knew and
respected her."
Mrs Wilkinson's death on September 1 – and the death of her twin sister
Nellie in 1999 – means that only four of the Fullthorpe children now survive.
Son Jeb, aged 44, said he had fond memories of growing up among the extended
family. He said: "There was never a dull moment in our family, there was always
something going on.
"Even though I had 54 first cousins, my mother knew all their birthdays completely
by memory.
"She loved her family and knew them very well."
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