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Crowds expected at Jane's funeral Husband speaks of Jane heartbreak
(1 day later)
Hundreds of people are expected to gather in the centre of Leeds on Friday to watch the funeral mass of charity fundraiser Jane Tomlinson. The husband of Jane Tomlinson, speaking during a tribute at her funeral, said he felt "truly humbled" to have shared his life with the charity fund-raiser.
Mrs Tomlinson died in St Gemma's Hospice in Leeds on 3 September after a seven-year battle with cancer. Mike Tomlinson said his wife's death had left an immense gap in her heartbroken family.
Her widower Mike will deliver a eulogy during the full Catholic funeral mass at St Anne's Cathedral. The Bishop of Leeds said Mrs Tomlinson was a woman of "exceptional courage and great faith".
The service will be live on BBC big screens in Leeds and Bradford and streamed live on bbc.co.uk/Leeds. Mrs Tomlinson died aged 43 in St Gemma's Hospice in Leeds on 3 September after a seven-year battle with cancer.
Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson will join Steve Cram, Eddie Gray and Dickie Bird at the church. 'Truly humbled'
World-wide recognition Delivering a eulogy to the 450-strong congregation, Mr Tomlinson said his wife's positive attitude "had the ability to change lives".
The mass will be led by the Bishop of Leeds Rt Rev Arthur Roche and celebrated jointly with priests and deacons. He said: "Always accepting of her fate, she prayed not for a miracle cure but only to find peace.
About 350 invited guests will attend the service which is due to start at 1245 BST. class="" href="/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/6995378.stm">Hundreds celebrate cancer heroine
People wanting to observe the mass and pay their respects will be able to watch the service on screens at Millennium Square in Leeds and Centenary Square in Bradford. "Her prophetic wisdom is a lasting legacy to the family."
Throughout her terminal illness Jane Tomlinson raised more than £1.5m for charity, running three London marathons, triathlons and a series of bike rides, including one from the west to east coast of America. He went on to say his wife had "cherished her family above all else".
Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991 and underwent a mastectomy. The cancer returned in 2000 and she was told it was terminal. "She was immensely proud of all three children. They brought her unimaginable joy.
It was Mrs Tomlinson's determination not to give in to the illness and prove that a terminal diagnosis would not prevent her from achieving feats that won her world-wide recognition, an MBE and a CBE. "It was this love for them that drove her on to having chemo after chemo.
She was also voted the UK's most inspirational woman in 2003. "Words seem insufficient to describe how painful the loss of Jane has been to us.
"Jane, on behalf of Suzanne, Rebecca and Steven, we love you deeply, thanks for all the fabulous memories. They will last a lifetime."
'Love and happiness'
Bishop Arthur Roche earlier paid tribute to Mrs Tomlinson, describing her as "a very brave and courageous young woman".
Hundreds of mourners watched the funeral Mass on big screens in Millennium Square.
There was spontaneous applause from the crowds outside the cathedral as the cortege arrived, and some mourners threw flowers into the road.
Jane Tomlinson's priest said she had an "indomitable spirit"
Mr Tomlinson and the couple's three children Steven, 10, Rebecca, 19, and Suzanne, 21, were then met outside the cathedral by the bishop.
As the service got under way, Mrs Tomlinson's priest, Father Patrick Smythe, told the 450-strong congregation that "love and happiness" featured in all parts of the fund-raiser's life.
He said: "Her gladness shone out of her radiant smile... anyone facing difficulties in life found encouragement in her determination, in her indomitable spirit".
At the end of the service, crowds once again applauded as the coffin was carried to the hearse for the family to attend a private service.
Throughout her terminal illness Mrs Tomlinson raised more than £1.5m for charity, running three London marathons, as well as taking part in triathlons and a series of bike rides, including one from the west coast to the east coast of America.