FAMILY and friends came together to celebrate their memories of “one of life’s diamonds”.


Alex Kellett Alex Kellett, 29, died suddenly in Furness General Hospital on Friday November 27 after quickly becoming seriously ill at her home in Millom.

Crowds of people gathered to attend a beautiful service at St George’s Church in Millom and to reflect on the life of a young woman with a caring heart.

The family made their way into the church to the sound of  the Daniel O’Donnell song, Beyond the Rainbow’s End, before an introduction and reading by the Reverend Clive Shaw.

Mr Shaw, who was leading the service, said: “Alex will be much missed by those she loved and by those whose lives she touch in many different ways - and that was a lot of people.

“This is a farewell that none of us expected to be having but it is also a celebration of her life and the beautiful, unique and very much loved person that she was.”

Tributes were then paid by those very close to Miss Kellett, including friend and former employer, Fred Bilsland, Henry Holmes of Millom’s Royal British Legion, and another friend, Stephen Charles.

Mr Bilsland said: “Alex joined us in September 2002 so we’ve been on a long journey together. We look at St George’s as a family and with that Alex was one of our daughters.

“By definition of what we do at St George’s, people come and go but this person was never meant to go and certainly never meant to go now.”

“At St George’s we aim to laugh with everybody, we support and help and above all, we try to understand. Nobody demonstrated that more than Alex. She embodied everything that is good about St George’s care home.”

Mr Holmes  said: “Alex will be missed by all the members of the Royal British Legion.

“We will miss her effervescent smile and her dedication to the Royal British Legion.

“Alex was big in stature and also in heart. Rest in peace Alex.”

Mr Charles made a touching tribute to Miss Kellett and read a short poem before Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing and Rihanna’s Shine Bright Like a Diamond played.

The service ended with a traditional commendation and committal before family and friends filed out of the church while Beyond the Rainbow’s End played once more.

Hundreds of people turned out to mourn the loss of Miss Kellett - a testament to the love and respect that the community had for her.

Mr Bilsland said: “Alex was one of life’s diamonds. Diamonds are brilliant - they glisten and shine. To lose a diamond is always hard to bear but when that diamond is Alex Kellett it’s incomprehensible.

“Goodnight and God bless Alex. Sleep well. We will all miss you so very, very much.”