Fitting funeral for RAF nurse who died after brave cancer battle

Michelle Brazier-Huelsman was buried at Fox Covert Cemetery in Appleton on Monday in the same grave as her brother Michael Whelen, whose funeral was also covered by the Warrington Guardian.

This followed a funeral at St Mary’s Church in the town centre – with a veterans’ guard of honour, representative sergeant from the RAF and a piper playing from the cemetery entrance down to her grave.

Michelle was born in Warrington on June 25, 1956, attending St Alban’s Primary School in Bewsey, Rosary Hill Convent Boarding School in Ireland, and English Martyrs Secondary Modern, where she was deputy head girl in the fifth year.

She attended St Alban’s, St Stephen’s and St Mary’s church, where she enjoyed the Latin mass.

Michelle Brazier-Huelsman was a nurse with the Royal Air Force

Michelle had various jobs throughout her life, and in 1976 she followed the family tradition of joining the armed forces.

Her mother Gretta had been a nurse in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during the Second World War.

Michelle joined the Princess Margaret’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service, where she trained as a nurse and served in the RAF for four years, until her discharge on marriage in 1980.

Michelle continued to stay in the Air Force environment, being married to Ron Brazier. She then had her first child, Anthony, and as a family, they were stationed at various stations in England and Germany.

Michelle Brazier-Huelsman was given a fitting send off. Picture: Dave Gillespie

Her marriage to Ron ended in 1993, and by that time she had returned to live in Warrington. She continued her nursing career at Halton Hospital in Runcorn.

In 2002, Michelle emigrated to Ohio, USA, where she was married to her second husband, Rollin Huelsman, and they lived with her youngest son Cieran.

She continued her nursing profession in a local hospital in Ohio.

In 2005, Michelle sadly found out she had breast cancer and received treatment in America, and in 2012, after the end of her second marriage, Michelle and Cieran moved back to Warrington.

By 2015, Michelle’s breast cancer had returned, leading to her undergoing bilateral mastectomy surgery, as well as a gruelling course of chemo and radiotherapy.

Michelle Brazier-Huelsman was given a fitting send off. Picture: Dave Gillespie

All seemed fine until 2019, when she received the devastating news that the cancer, a new treble negative cancer, had appeared, for which there was no cure.

Sadly, her courageous battle ended peacefully in St Rocco’s Hospice on November 29.

Michelle leaves 2 very much-loved sons, Anthony and Cieran, and two grandchildren, Anya and Jack.

Paying tribute to her sister, Patsy Whelan said: “Michelle always had a good work ethic, together with a very caring nature.

Michelle Brazier-Huelsman was given a fitting send off. Picture: Dave Gillespie

“On returning to Warrington, she immediately gained employment as a carer for the elderly and dementia patients.

“Her final job, and the one she enjoyed most, was as an activities support co-ordinator in a local care home.

“Michelle was a very talented and accomplished artist, and put this skill to good use, as well as her other people-person skills and joy for life.

“She loved her painting – a family tradition – and not only sold her work, but also took on commissioned art work.

“She also loved music and animals, and she regularly donated food and money to animal rescue centres.

Michelle Brazier-Huelsman was given a fitting send off. Picture: Dave Gillespie

“She could never walk down the street without stopping to pet dogs or cats. She would even stop to tweet back at the birds in the trees.

“Michelle, not willing to give in to the cancer, agreed to take part in numerous new chemotherapy drug trials, which was a gruelling course of treatment.

“This trial treatment will undoubtedly help millions of women with breast cancer in the future.

“Michelle was an active member and supporter of Sam’s Diamonds Cancer Support Charity, which is a local support network for women with cancer.

“She regularly gave art classes to the members. She also gained great strength from the members and made many good friends there.”