'A beautiful life'

Friends and family pay tribute to much-loved funeral director

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DOZENS of well-wishers paid their final respects to a funeral director at a ceremony organised by her own family’s firm.

A white horse-drawn carriage took Cynthia Williamson to a traditional Christian service at St Andrew’s Church, in Sneyd Green, the same church where she married her husband Graham.

The 88-year-old, who had cancer and dementia, died ‘peacefully’ surrounded by family and staff at Springfield Manor Care Home in Trent Vale.

Mrs Williamson’s funeral was organised by Birches Head-based Williamson Brothers, the firm where she dedicated her life to comforting others as a director.

Opening the service, the Reverend James Gandon joked: “I said to Robert, ‘this has to be one of the most well-organised funerals I’ve ever seen!’ He replied saying “Well, we wouldn’t be very good at our jobs if it wasn’t.”

After joining in the opening prayer, mourners stood to sing Shine Jesus Shine, an optimistic hymn selected to reflect Mrs Williamon’s bright attitude to life. Her grandchildren Katie and James then read a poem and prayer.