MOURNERS gathered at Christ Church today to remember the life of former lady mayoress, Pam Benfield.

In a thanksgiving service, which followed a private cremation at Kingsdown Crematorium, more than 100 people attended to sing hymns, listen to readings, poems and tributes to Pam.

The wife of the 2003/04 Swindon mayor, Derek Benfield, had suffered a 43-year battle with diabetes, overcome both bowel cancer and cancer of the womb on separate occasions and fought through gallstones, cataracts and limited vision before she died at the Great Western Hospital on April 13.

In a tribute read by Catherine Hordies and Matthew Jamieson on behalf of Derek, he said: “It seems somehow inadequate for words alone to describe such an amazingly beautiful and wonderful person.

“A gentle and loving disposition, and a kind and caring spirit, combined with a fabulous sense of fun only begin to describe this very special lady.”

They continued: “Her children were always made to feel so special and felt they could achieve anything with her support and encouragement.

“‘Just try your best’ she would softly say, and that was more than good enough for her.”

The tribute finished: “Pam was an especially stoic and proud woman, and despite her continuing ill-health she never allowed her challenges to be in the forefront of other’s minds.

“Her stoicism meant that everyone saw the qualities that were so much hers, and durIng the last week we have been so overwhelmed by so many wonderful things said about Pam in countless letters and sympathy cards.

“Several words appear frequently: kind, gentle, thoughtful, cheerful, happy, serene, dignified, graceful, peaceful and angelic, but nearly everyone remembered her smile.”