Sad eulogies to terror blast mums

HUGE turnout . . . hundreds flocked to St Anne’s Church in Royton

HUNDREDS of people bid farewell to their friends, who were killed by the Manchester bomber while waiting for their daughters, during heart-rending services.

Friends and family paid tribute to the two Royton mums, Alison Howe (45) and Lisa Lees (43), during funerals, one after the other, at St Anne's Church, Royton, on Friday.

They were standing in the foyer outside the Manchester Arena waiting for their daughters, when the explosion happened.

The weather was in stark contrast to the days preceding it, cold, wet and dreary. It was as if the heavens were mourning for them both. They were described as "beautiful angels".

Alison was brought to the church in a black horse-drawn carriage which was followed by hundreds of people on foot. Entering to Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water", the church became so full that people had to listen to the service, led by the Rev James Read, on loudspeakers outside.

A tribute from Alison's husband, Steve, said: "I met Ali in 1996 with friends. From the day we met, all the family fell in love with her, especially my four sons.

"She was strong, warm, loving, beautiful inside and out, calm and sometimes fiery and just perfect.

"She gave us everything she had and we loved her like no other."

Her mother Sue said Alison was the reason her heart beats, describing her as the "one perfect thing" she has ever done and that she was heartbroken.

The couple had two daughters, Sasha (18) and Darcie (15), who had gone to the Ariana Grande concert. She also had four stepsons.

The congregation broke out into applause as stepson Harry said they were her "Super Six". "My Lighthouse" by Rend Collective played before Alison's coffin was placed in the hearse and the family hugged and supported each other outside the church.

As the procession left, spontaneous applause rang out from the hundreds in attendance. The service for Lisa followed shortly after, again with hundreds in attendance.

Lisa's husband Anthony held daughters India and Lauren as they walked behind a white horse-drawn carriage which carried her to the gates of the church.

White roses spelled "mum" and "daughter" and "Vogue" by Madonna was played as she was carried into the church. A tribute from Anthony, read by the Rev Read, said: "Lisa, my beautiful wife, I still can't believe I am writing these words down. You were taken away from us far too soon. You are everything to me, the best wife a man could ask for. You are my best friend, my soul mate and life will never be the same without you.

"You taught our two girls to always believe in themselves and that they can achieve anything they want and I am sure they both will.

"We spent 23 years together and Lisa in that time I have only one regret and that is that we can't spend another 23 years together. Lisa I will miss you so so much, night night my gorgeous woman, you are now our angel."

Her mother, Elaine Hunter, said Lisa had so many plans for the future and that she would treasure every minute she had with her. Her daughter India described her as the "best mum in the universe".

A tribute from Lauren said: "Our mum wasn't just a mum to us, she was our best friend, teacher, role model and guide. She taught us to try our best in everything that we do.

"Myself and India have many memories that we will treasure. As long as we have each other part of mum will always live on. We want to make her proud each and every day.

"She is a beautiful angel and she will continue to be proud of us and of us all. She will continue to be in our hearts forever."

Pearl Jam's "Black" rang out as people left the church and dozens of pink carnations were thrown on to the hearse as it pulled away to another round of applause.