Ida Barlow

Ida Barlow (née Leathers) was the wife of Frank Barlow and mother to Ken and David.

Biography
Born in 1916, Ida Leathers married postman Frank Barlow on 1st May 1939. They had two sons, Ken in 1939 and David in 1942.

In 1960, Ida worked at the Imperial Hotel as a cleaner in the kitchens. Though usually supportive of Ken, who was at university and sometimes embarrassed about his working class roots, and proud of his education, Ida was displeased when Ken invited some college friends into 3 Coronation Street to make anti-Nuclear protest signs.

A caring, "saintly" woman, Ida spent most of her time cleaning the house and cooking for the family. She rarely went to the Rovers Return though Frank did.

With her mother Nancy Leathers' health failing, Ida moved into her house to take care of her. Nancy later agreed to move in with the Barlows.

Ida was very close to Albert Tatlock. In September 1961, Ida went to visit Albert's daughter Beattie Pearson, but stayed out so long that Ken and Frank began to worry about her. Ken went to see Beattie, who told him Ida had never shown up. Soon they learned she'd been hit by a bus.

After her death Ida was not forgotten. On his wedding day in 1962, Ken spoke to his father about her, after finding him looking at photos of her. Her first grand-daughter, Susan Ida Barlow, was partially named after her.

Behind the scenes
Ida's funeral episode was the most watched episode of Coronation Street up to that point, with 15.6 million viewers.

Quotes
"Sauce, Kenneth?" (First line)

"I'll see you soon Frank, just goin' shopping" (Last line)