Scooter escort at funeral of Longridge teaching assistant and mum of three Deb Faraday

Deb Faraday never owned a scooter, but as a Mod she would have loved one.

Today tribute was paid in a very special way to the Longridge mother of three, who has died from cancer at the age of 50.

Her cousin Lee, equally keen on Mod culture, was joined by fellow members of the Centurion Scooter Club in Leyland, as they rode escort behind Deb’s white flower laden coffin on her final journey to Burnley Crematorium.

Many friends had gathered in driving rain outside the crematorium to honour Deb, a teaching assistant at Barnacre Road Primary School, Longridge.

During the service her two oldest daughters, Hope,17, and Verity,16, gave their own tributes, watched by younger sister Iris,eight. Earlier a tribute written by Deb’s father was read out.

Hope described Deb as “My rock, role model and mother.”

She told those attending the service: “I don’t think there are words that sum up how incredible my mother was. She was the most beautiful woman inside and out ... She taught me so much, especially to always see the light in the dark.”

The funeral service included some of Deb's favourite songs Somewhere Only We Know by Keane, All of Me by John Legend and Island in The Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

Deb died at her parents’ home more than a year after being diagnosed with cancer. She had been given the all clear in October 2019, but by December was again unwell and had treatment at Burnley Hospital and major surgery at the Royal Preston Hospital.

Last week Barnacre head Simon Wallis said: “She was a person bursting with enthusiasm, positivity and a great sense of fun. She embraced her work with energy and determination to make a difference for all the children that she worked with.”

For further tributes see here.* Donations in Deb’s memory can be made to Pendleside Hospice, Burnley c/o Alderson and Horan Funeral Services, 128 Rossendale Road, Burnley, BB11 5DH.