HUNDREDS of people whose lives were touched by devoted foster carer Beverley Seabrook gathered in her memory.

About 200 mourners packed into Kingsdown Crematorium yesterday for a service to celebrate Beverley’s life, after she died of a heart condition earlier this month.

Tributes and readings in honour of the 58-year-old were heard during the service, which was led by the Rev Clive Deverell, of St Mary’s Church, in Lydiard Park.

The grandmother, who was born in Hampton Court, influenced the lives of more than 350 young people over the course of 35 years of childminding and foster care.

There was standing room only during the service as people who had travelled from all over the UK and Europe gathered to remember her life.

You Raise Me Up by Westlife was heard as she was brought in, and the congregation sang All Things Bright And Beautiful before tributes and readings were heard.

Beverley’s husband, Alan, 60, paid tribute to her by reading a poem he had written and given to her 10 years ago, which he found folded up in her purse.

He described her as the love of his life and said he would love her until the end of time.

The Rev Deverell told the congregation how the couple had met while Alan was teaching ballroom dancing.

He said Alan had tried blondes and brunettes but had never kissed a woman with red hair until he met Beverley.

The Rev Deverell asked the congregation to raise a glass of sangria to Beverley after the ceremony.

Beverley was biological mother to Andrew, Clive and Grant, and also had an adopted son, Tony.

When Tony arrived in the Seabrooks’ home aged six months, he weighed just seven pounds and had been given the last rites three times.

Doctors predicted he would never walk or talk. Now 25 he has left home and is leading a happy, independent life.

Beverley suffered sight problems this year and became involved with Swindon BATS, a charity for people with no or only partial sight.

Her friends from Swindon BATS were at the service, and donations were given to the charity in her memory.

Towards the end of the service, the congregation sang Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, which was also sung at Alan and Beverley’s wedding.

Softly As I Leave You, sung by Matt Monro, was played as the congregation left.

A celebration of Beverley’s life was held at The Sun Inn, in Lydiard Millicent, after the service.

Donations in her memory to Swindon BATS can be made via Maslin funeral service on 01793 848700.