IT was fitting that All Saints' Church in Thelwall was packed for the funeral of Elsie Biggin.

That's because the former Warrington Guardian Mum of the Year had lived a packed life in her 85 years.

She was not just active - she was warm and generous, a woman who made friends instinctively, and was well-known in the community.

She was the wife of Ron Biggin, the former vicar of Thelwall, and the grandmother of Gemma Biggin, one of two 17 year olds who died when their car plunged into the Bridgewater Canal in 2004.

Her son, Clr Mike Biggin, battled with his emotions to give a warm eulogy - he said Gemma's death devastated Mrs Biggin, but she stayed strong for the rest of the family.

Clr Biggin said the funeral was the hardest day' of husband Ron's life. He added: "Theirs was not only a marriage made in heaven, but heaven made in a marriage."

Mrs Biggin was involved with the Brownies, the Guides, the Friends of Foxhill, the young wives group in Thelwall, Thelwall church choir and the Mother's Union.

She worked as a stenographer at Liverpool Crown Court, was a radar operator in the WAAF during the Second World War. Before the war, she played hockey for Liverpool Ladies and England.

Friends came to the funeral from churches in Latchford, Lymm and Lower Whitley.

The Rev John Goode's opening and closing remarks fitted the occasion perfectly.

"People say weather like this is right for a funeral because God is crying," he said, after the coffin was brought in from the rain. "But he is also joyous because one of his daughters has returned home."

And just before the congregation followed the coffin back out, he told them: "You are here not because Elsie died, but because Elsie lived."