Opera star's last tribute to brave Liz

Posted on July 27, 2006

The glorious voice of international opera singer Gwen Jeffers filled St Giles Church in Totternhoe at the funeral of Liz Farr (pictured).

The celebration and thanksgiving of last week followed her death on July 8 after a brave battle against cancer that lasted 17 years.

Her husband Clive Bevins, whom she married at an emotional bedside ceremony only three days before she died, wanted it to be a happy occasion.

He said afterwards: "We gave her a good send-off.

"I was so proud of her son, Rob, who decorated the church and the churchyard with blue and yellow banners that echoed the colours in the stained glass windows."

Clive had the packed congregation laughing at his anecdotes about life with Liz.

He also read a poem she'd written for Rob, entitled My Son. She'd intended to set it to music - like her Thank You Song which was played during the service, conducted by the Rev Janet Spicer - but had run out of time.

Liz, who lost two husbands to cancer before being diagnosed herself, attended the premiers last month of Making a Song and Dance About Cancer, a moving tribute to her inspirational life made by her son Rob.

She and Clive had been together for four years.

Clive said later: "I always knew this was where our train would terminate. I just hoped we'd have a few more stops."

Source: Bev Creagh, Dunstable Gazette, 26 July 2006