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Friends pay a final farewell to brave Lynne Rivers
Multiple sclerosis sufferer dies aged 32
Traffic stopped in Houghton Regis on Wednesday as family and friends bade a final farewell to popular and plucky Lynne Rivers.
The 32-year-old suffered with primary progressive multiple sclerosis and lost her battle with the disease last month.
But despite her disability, guests to her funeral remembered 'an independent soul' who never complained.
And, in an emotional visual tribute to the inspirational woman, they all walked behind the hearse to the cemetery after the July 7 service.
Devoted mum Brenda told the Dunstable Gazette: "We walked from All Saints Church to the cemetery and there was a long crocodile of people walking behind.
"Me, my husband and daughter were walking behind the hearse. I turned round and I couldn't believe the number of people that were following."
Lynne was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in April 1997, while studying at Reading University.
But the former Thornhill Lower, Brandreth Middle and Northfields Upper school pupil never dwelled on her illness, despite eventually becoming wheelchair bound, completely blind and tube fed.
Brenda, of Elm Close, said: "She never complained. She was very independent, an independent soul. Her standard catchphrase when you walked in, no matter what she was feeling, was 'I'm ok'. She just never gave up."
She lived in a specially adapted bungalow but in 2007 she began to struggle living alone and in May 2008, after a long spell in hospital, Lynne moved into Agate House, a Leonard Cheshire Disability Home in Ampthill, where she thrived.
"She learned to be happy again, a person again," said Brenda. "Instead of a patient she was a person."
Lynne died on June 26 at Luton & Dunstable Hospital.
"She was a character and an inspiration. For 32 years we had her and she made a mark."
For a fuller tribute to Lynne, see the July 14 edition of the Dunstable Gazette, on sale now.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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