Family and friends joined together in an emotional service for a ‘funny’ and ‘beautiful’ mum ‘who captured the hearts of everyone’, after she tragically died age 32.
Stephanie Thorpe, from Farnworth, died on Sunday June 25 in Royal Blackburn Hospital following the Restricted Forest music festival, which was held in Witton Park.
Hundreds of people gathered for the funeral service at Bolton Parish Church.
Many wore bright orange and purple colours to reflect the bright personality of Stephanie and the bright clothes she loved.
Sam Smith’s ‘Lay Me Down’ played as more than 300 people came to pay their respects.
Her sister Cherie Thorpe opened the service by reading the poem ‘As I Sit in Heaven’ which she said ‘meant a lot to everyone’, especially in the past few weeks.
Stephanie was laid to rest in a sparkly purple casket, carried in a horse and carriage to the church.
She was described in the service as a ‘devoted’ mother to two-year-old Alfie Pendlebury and a loving partner to Carl Pendlebury.
He said: “I honestly can’t find the words to say just how much I miss you.
“We are going through it, and I am finding it hard without you.
“But I have got Alfie, and he has got me behind him, one million per cent, without a doubt.
“I’ll be there through thick and thin.
“Miss and love you Steph, my partner in crime, my colourful sidekick.
“I love you with all my heart.”
Her cousin Claire also paid tribute to her, describing her laugh as ‘second-to-none’, and speaking of her funny nature.
She said: “As a family we were so lucky, and she [nan] was your biggest fan.
“Nan used to say, ‘Claire come and see what Steph has said today and look at the funny thing you had said to make her laugh that day.’
“You grew into a beautiful young woman.
“You captured the hearts of everyone.”
The service was led by Rev Ian Hepburn.
He told how Stephanie's family would say she would ‘light up any room’ and she had an amazing ability to connect with anyone.
Mr Hepburn said: “It was her ability to connect, whether that was through her loud, sociable, and genuine extrovert nature or her kind-heartedness. She was someone who would do anything for anybody.”
Prayers, hymns, and songs were played for Stephanie, including amazing Grace and ‘Listen’ by Beyonce.
If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here