MORE than 1,000 peopleturned out to pay tribute to Abergavenny businesswoman Sue Turner in one of the largest funerals ever seen at St Mary's Priory Church, Abergavenny.

Sue died at Velindre Hospital, Cardiff after losing her three year battle with one of the rarest forms of cancer.

Aged 45, Sue was well known over a wide area and her popularity was borne out by the number of people of all ages from aspects of the community in which she was involved, from farming and young farmers, to Mardy Junior Football Club and her customers.

Brought up in Raglan, Sue was involved inthe localYFC, and it was through the movement that she met her husband Ian, a member of the Abergavenny club.

Until she opened her own business, Sue's Pantry in Market Street, Abergavenny, three years ago, she spent six years delivering milk, and her popularity was demonstrated by more than 600 cards and letters of condolence which were received by her husband and children Kate, 17, and Robert, 13, her mother Mrs Myrna Thomas, and her parents-in-law Mr and Mrs Trevor Turner.

Testimony of the esteem in which she was held was further demonstrated by the donations which have so far raised more than £3,500 for Velindre Hospital. The fund is staying open in case anyone else wants to contribute and to allow her family to organise some fund-raising events to boost the amount,so a lasting memorial can be donated to the hospital where she received such loving care in her final days.

The funeral service was conducted by the vicar of Abergavenny the Rev Jeremy Winston and the Rev Malcolm Lane, and readings were given by Sue's close friend Liz James and the vicar, who also delivered a moving eulogy to her bravery and determination to beat her illness, and to the courage shown by her children during Sue's last days.

Her father-in-law Trevor Turner said her husband and children were overwhelmed by the number of cards and messages they had received, and by the attendance at the funeral. He paid a special tribute to the vicar, the Rev Jeremy Winston, the Rev Malcolm Lane, the Rev Michael Sadler and the Rev Roy West for their support.

Chief mourners were Ian (husband), Kate and Robert (children), Mrs Myrna Thomas (mother), Stephen and Rachel Thomas (brother and sister-in-law), Trevor and Peggy Turner (parents-in-law), Helen and Andrew Alford (sister-in-law and brother-in- law), Emma and Claire Alford (nieces), Dan and Hannah Thomas (nephew and niece) were too young to attend, DotTurner (aunt), Sue Turner, Gary and Amy Dyke, Robert and Joe Davies, John Davies, Fred and Beryl Fisher (cousins), Kath Thomas and John Jones (cousin and partner representing Mary and John Thomas, aunt and uncle), Richard and Jacqui Thomas and Tricia Thomas (cousins), Dorothy Boote, Lynne Sadd, David Boote, Ken Richards (representing Mr and Mrs Neil Richards), Erica Waterer (representing Carl Waterer), Philip and Nicky Breeze (cousins). Unable to attend were Mary Moore, Elizabeth Turner, Joe and Violet Turner (aunts and uncle); Roger and Marilyn Turner and family, Michael and Stephanie Turner and family (cousins).

Bearers were Colin Jones, Dilwyn Tranter, Ray Francis, Paul Jones, Adrian Cooke and Colin Phillips.

The family express their thanks to all friends and to funeral directors Ted Williams and Sons, where donations to Velindra Hospital may be sent.