Kettering woman who spent 50 years in shoe industry remembered after Covid-19 battle

Louise Wallace Cunnington passed away in June
Louise Cunnington at her retirement from Church's shoe factory in 2015Louise Cunnington at her retirement from Church's shoe factory in 2015
Louise Cunnington at her retirement from Church's shoe factory in 2015

A son has paid tribute to his mum who spent more than 50 years working in Northamptonshire's shoe industry.

Wayne Cunnington's mum, Louise Wallace Cunnington, died aged 73 on June 8 at KGH after testing positive for coronavirus.

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The former manager of Church's Shoes factory leaves behind husband Trevor, 74, and son Wayne, who said his mum will be sorely missed.

Louise (left) with her husband Trevor (middle) and son Wayne (right).Louise (left) with her husband Trevor (middle) and son Wayne (right).
Louise (left) with her husband Trevor (middle) and son Wayne (right).

He said: "It's been a very difficult few months for me and my father. We are a very close family."

Louise was born in Scotland on March 17, 1947, and was one of 14 children. She moved down to Corby as a young child and lived in the area for the rest of her life.

At 15-years-old, Louise got her first job at Dolcis Shoes in Kettering. She had knocked on the door just three days before but was told at 14, she was too young for a job. Determined, Louise went back on her 15th birthday and got the job.

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It was the start of a long career in Northamptonshire's famous shoe-making industry.

Trevor and Louise CunningtonTrevor and Louise Cunnington
Trevor and Louise Cunnington

Louise started on £3 a week and two years later she married fellow shoe worker Trevor, who worked at the Mobbs Miller factory.

She went on from Dolcis to become a shoe stitcher and marker for The British Shoe Corporation, which later became Burlingtons and later The Rutland Shoe Company.

Louise's final shoe job was manager of the Church's Shoes factory in Morley Street, where she retired in 2015 after 54 years in the trade.

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The Northants Telegraph covered her retirement party and Louise said: "I’ve always worked hard but I’ve enjoyed working for Church’s the most because I was given the opportunity to build up my own team.

Trevor and Louise on their wedding day. They both worked in the shoe industryTrevor and Louise on their wedding day. They both worked in the shoe industry
Trevor and Louise on their wedding day. They both worked in the shoe industry

"I’m going to miss everyone here, they are such fantastic, highly skilled, brilliant workers, some of them I have known since they were 15."

The regional closing manager at the time, Stuart Nutt, said: "Louise will be a hard act to follow."

Remembering his mum's work, Wayne said: "Mum was a very fair boss to work for, I'm told, instilling in staff her high standards but would certainly let you know if you happened to cross the line with a look or a shout down the room to 'get on with your working and stop talking.

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"Juggling her career in a busy factory she somehow managed to find time to have me before returning back to work and sharing some of her skills with me whilst ‘helping’ her at work on Saturday mornings."

Wayne (middle) with his parents, Trevor (left) and Louise (right).Wayne (middle) with his parents, Trevor (left) and Louise (right).
Wayne (middle) with his parents, Trevor (left) and Louise (right).

Outside of her work, Wayne said his mum loved to travel, loved animals and enjoyed shopping.

He said: "Mum always had a flair for style and always loved to browse in shops for something ‘different’ which she loved to express in her home and fashion. Shopping was definitely a hobby of mum's as well as having a latte and a natter with friends.

"Mum was full of joy and loved talking to people all through her life and having a laugh with friends, family and colleagues alike which is why she built up so many friendships."

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Wayne described his mum has kind-hearted and caring, saying she always liked to help people out wherever she could and even tried to help some porters in hospital while she was ill.

He said: "Even whilst unwell mum still tried to help out others, such was her deeply caring nature."

Louise had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Wayne said there had been a sudden decline from the end of last year and the family were trying to make sense of that.

He said: "Another battle was trying to keep mum healthy.

"After mum picked up a viral infection connected to Alzheimer's she spent two weeks in Twywell ward at KGH, (and) we met her carer Kim who cared for her greatly.

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"Mum came home but again repeatedly battled infections connected to Alzheimer's and after several weeks, her doctor reluctantly OKed her to be readmitted to hospital (even with) the Covid-19 risk."

Louise spent three weeks at KGH in the Naseby ward and seemed to have avoided catching coronavirus. She was then discharged to Glenmore Care Home in Corby, which Wayne said was meant to protect Louise further from Covid-19.

Unfortunately, Louise was rushed to KGH a week later and tested positive for Covid-19.

Wayne said: "She battled bravely in Harrowden C and after a few days (she) surprised everyone with her improvement but sadly, in many cases it's typical of how the virus works and mum rapidly deteriorated.

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"In her last week she never reawakened but was made comfortable on palliative care and wasn't given long to live but continued to battle on."

Wayne was able to visit a few times and said he is grateful, as he knows people who have been unable to visit loved ones to say goodbye.

The family also had a surprise video call one afternoon when Louise's carers used her phone to make the call.

Wayne said: "Sadly, on my final visit mum's condition was thoroughly related to me and so I requested a chaplain to visit.

"A few hours later, mum passed away.

"Mum, you will be sorely missed."