Clifford Owen Ingham (1937–2025)

On 12 January 2025, Clifford Owen Ingham, aged 87 years, of Norfolk. Mr Ingham was a former member of the Society.

Clifford Owen Ingham was born on the 4 October 1937, in Nottingham. He lived in various locations throughout his life, including Nottingham, Leicester, Uxbridge, Barking, Suffolk and Norfolk. He passed away peacefully on the 12 January 2025 at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in Norwich.

Cliff was a highly respected pharmacist and hearing aid practitioner. He served as a community pharmacist at various locations, including Old Kent Road, West Drayton, Uxbridge and Barking, all in London, and ultimately established his own practice in Lowestoft, Suffolk. He also served the community as chair of the District Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee for the Great Yarmouth and Waveney Health Authority.

During his time as a pharmacy proprietor, Cliff was a pillar of the local community — the sort of pharmacist who makes us proud to belong to the same profession. He valued the importance of community within the profession and helped to staff a local council stand about the safe use, storage and disposal of medicines in 1986. In 1989, from his pharmacy, he publicised a disposal of unwanted medicines and poisons campaign with the local MP. 

Cliff was very active in the local Pharmaceutical Society. During the decades of district branches, he attended the funeral services of deceased colleagues whenever possible. On one poignant occasion, he attended a funeral service at a large church in Gorleston-on Sea, Norfolk. The district branch chair and secretary were the only attendees, encountering only the undertakers, the vicar and the widow. The couple had retired to Norfolk and had not made many connections.  

Cliff’s interests extended far beyond his professional life. He was a dedicated school governor and a talented musician, serving as a church organist and enjoying playing the piano and violin. He also led the choir at Kessingland Church and pursued his artistic passions. An avid traveller and stamp collector, Cliff was also fluent in English and French.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marie-Claire, a retired nurse; his children Nadine, Marie-Anne and Stephanie (who has practised as a pharmacist); his grandchildren Dominic, Samuel, Gabrielle and Lauren; and his brothers, Graham and Dennis.

Cliff was a kind-hearted gentleman, a doting family man and a valued friend who is deeply missed. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family during this difficult time.

The funeral will be held on 7 February 2025 at 14:00 at All Saints’ Church, Briston, Norfolk, and afterwards at the Three Horseshoes in Briston.

Malcolm E Brown