A YOUNG mother’s life of love, laughter and music was celebrated yesterday as family and friends gathered to say an emotional farewell.

Vicky Smith battled lung cancer twice and endured years of suffering before her life was tragically cut short by the illness last month, days before her 26th birthday.

But her funeral, at St John’s Church in her hometown of Shildon, focused on happier times and the wonderful memories she made with the many people who knew and loved her.

From mischievously spending her school dinner money on marzipan, to fishing trips with her grandfather in the Lake District, to playing everything from the kazoo to the glockenspiel for New Brancepeth Revellers Jazz Band –Mrs Smith, nee Cross, lived life to the full from a young age.

Her love for her husband and childhood sweetheart Brendon, whom she wed at the same church in February, was also celebrated, along with her devotion to their twin sons, Brodie Joe and Jayden Blake.

Tears were flowing freely as her coffin was carried into the church to the sounds of Celine Dion’s Because You Loved Me, performed by her beloved jazz band. The Reverend David Tomlinson then lit a candle for the mother-of-two, before the congregation sang the popular hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful.

The vicar spoke of Mrs Smith’s great capacity for love, adding: “She wrote the story of her love on the hearts of all who knew her.”

Mrs Smith was first diagnosed with stage four small cell lung cancer in 2015.

She was forced to give up her job as a production operative as Husqvarna in Newton Aycliffe and underwent an intensive course of chemotherapy.

But sadly, the cancer returned and last month she received the devastating news it had spread to her brain and pancreas. She was given two to six months to live but less than a fortnight later she contracted pneumonia and died in hospital on July 26, surrounded by her family.

During her illness, Mrs Smith became an active member of Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group, making many close friends and serving on the committee.

Members of the group, including founder Allison White, attended Monday's (August 7) service, when the mother-of-two’s bravery, positivity and unwavering desire to help others was described as an inspiration to all.

Speaking shortly after her death, Miss White said: “She was so selfless and just wanted to do everything. Members are devastated.”

A tribute written by Mrs Smith’s father, Michael, on behalf of himself and her mother, Tina, was also read out during the service.

The grieving father said his heart melted whenever his daughter called him dad.

“When she said that word it was like she wrapped her arms around me and I was surrounded by her love,” he added. “It’s a small word but it meant so much.”

At the end of the service, My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion was played and Mrs Smith was carried from the church.

New Brancepeth Revellers Jazz Band lined the church drive as the funeral cortege left for a private committal.

  • The Northern Echo attended the funeral with permission of the family