Laura is laid to rest (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Laura is laid to rest

8:18am Friday 25th January 2008 in Swindon By Sarah Hilley

AS FAMILY and friends mourned Laura Neilson at her funeral, her voice reached out to comfort them even in death.

Laura - wife of boxer Eddie Neilson for 41 years - died of pancreatic cancer last Tuesday aged 58.

She was a talented organiser and charity supporter and recorded her own eulogy to console her loved ones.

The congregation listened in grief-stricken silence as Laura's warm voice filled Old Town's Christ Church.

"I'm doing this eulogy because it is difficult to find anyone to do it without crying, but I'm crying myself," said Laura on the recording.

"I'd like to say thank you to Eddie for putting up with me all these years."

She spoke of her love and pride for her sons and daughter Katie. "My children over the last year have all been there for me," she said.

"Forever and ever no matter where you are children, I will always be in your heart."

The grandmother didn't forget the many friends who packed the church.

"I don't want you all to be sad. I want you to celebrate my life," she said. "I'm going to finish now as I don't want to upset my mum."

Son Garry read a poem he composed urging the congregation not to cry as his mother wished.

But mourners found it hard to quell their feelings and tears spilled as Garry described his mum's spirit.

"Mum still had the last word even in death," he said.

He said the family tried to cope with his mother having cancer, but said she never made a fuss.

"Of course nobody suffered more than mum, but dad was definitely second," said Garry.

As Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On soared through the church, the sun streamed through the stained glass windows reflecting rainbow colours on the grey walls.

The Rev Geoffrey Gleed said Laura's competent organisation of her own funeral reflected her style.

The unusual January blue sky and sunshine at her funeral yesterday seemed to pay tribute to her life - almost as if she had organised the weather.

"Laura didn't want anything left to chance," said the Rev Gleed. "She was a lady who packed so much into her life.

"We are hardly able to skim the surface of a person who lived life to the full during today's service."

You Raise Me Up started playing as the men in Laura's life lifted her lily-flanked coffin to leave the church.

A final celebration of Laura's life was held at a wake at the Ivy Hotel, Wroughton.