Video: A parade of pink at funeral of inspirational Kerry Key
Hundreds of friends and relatives packed into a Preston church to say farewell to tireless fundraiser Kerry Key, who died from breast cancer at the age of just 36.
Bon Jovi and Led Zeppelin blasted out in tribute to inspirational Kerry, who passed away at home on February 6.
About 500 people packed out All Saints' Church at Preston, near Hedon, to say their final goodbyes.
Almost everyone was wearing pink, representing the breast cancer charities for which Kerry raised money.
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She bravely fought breast cancer for seven years.
Kerry was the mother of Lewis, 13, who has severe learning disabilities, and Georgia, eight. She lived in Hedon with husband Tony Key, who had been her childhood sweetheart.
Her coffin was led through the streets of Preston - where she was brought up - by a horse-drawn carriage, the animals adorned with pink feathers.
The Leona Lewis song Run played as Kerry's coffin entered the church.
Despite Kerry's family being determined to celebrate her life rather than mourn it, there were tears as relatives and friends followed the coffin in.
Kerry had helped organise her own funeral in the days before she died.
The congregation sang her favourite hymn Make Me a Channel Of Your Peace.
Tributes were paid to Kerry by her family, read out by the Rev Kathy Lawrie.
Mum Carol Beauchamp praised her daughter in a piece read out by Ms Lawrie.
She said: "This is a story of a life cut short but full of ups and downs.
"A rebellious teenager and a fun-loving young woman who knew the downside of life and the amazing upside of being a mother.
"Ask her to do something and she'd do the opposite.
"All who knew her had their lives enhanced. Everyone she touched, she left little of her there."
As the coffin was then carried out of the church, accompanied by Westlife's Flying Without Wings, the congregation broke out in spontaneous applause, acknowledging the impact she had on all around her.
• Pictures: Kerry Key tribute gallery
Comments
by red_dog
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 4:52PM
“Sleep peacefully now Kerry. RIP.”