'Beautiful and determined, she was the perfect mum, always there for me'

Published on Friday 17 July 2009 22:27

THE children of football star Colin Hendry paid an emotional tribute to their mother yesterday, as hundreds gathered at her funeral.

Dundee-born Denise Hendry, 43, died in hospital last week, seven years after a botched liposuction operation.

Mourners wept as the couple's son, Kyle, 18, described his mother as "so strong for us all".

He said: "She was beautiful and determined, and always there for me. She was the perfect mum. Thank you for all you gave me."

He had composed a poem, which he read out, as did sister Rheagan, 19, brother Callum, ten, and Mrs Hendry's sister, Charlene. The Hendrys' youngest child, Niamh, nine, recited Mary Elizabeth Frye's poem Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep.

Rheagan said: "Part of me has gone with you. Thank you, Mum, I will always love you."

The service had a strong Scottish flavour throughout. A pipe band led the cortge through the streets of the Lancashire seaside town of Lytham St Annes, the couple's adopted home. The Saltire was lowered in her honour over St Cuthbert's Church, while another Saltire replaced the usual Union flag flying above the town-centre green.

A horse-drawn white carriage formed the hearse and the white coffin was carried by pallbearers into St Cuthbert's to the strains of Rod Stewart's Purple Heather, as up to 700 people packed the church, including several from the world of football.

Among those present were Liverpool and Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish, who managed Hendry to the English Premiership title with Blackburn Rovers, former Scotland manager Craig Brown, Don Mackay, who signed Hendry from Dundee when he was Blackburn boss, and Preston manager Alan Irvine.

Former Scotland captain Hendry told the congregation the couple knew they were a perfect match soon after they first met in Dundee 25 years ago.

"I was at Dundee playing for the reserves. We would go out on the sauce on Thursday night, and it was at Fat Sam's where I met Denise," he said. "We went out for a fairly short period and soon realised we were made for each other."

He went on: "She was a lovely person, no complaints, no fuss. She did her best at loving me and the kids day in, day out. She was the best, believe me.

"Denise, you are the most beautiful person. It was the greatest honour in life to be your best friend and husband. I will always miss you and never forget you."

Fighting back tears, he continued: "Through our lives in football, we were blessed with a very rich and pleasant life, but one we have never taken for granted.

"With our children, 22 years of marriage, 25 years of knowing each other, we had some amazing times full of joy, laughter and celebration."

Officiating at the service, Canon Andrew Clitherow said: "Colin, Rheagan, Kyle, Callum and Niamh, what can we say? Life isn't fair. Denise lived for you, and now she has been taken away from you.

"And while she used to say that when life is tough, you have to learn whatever you can from these times and move on, for now you will be struggling to cope with the loss of someone so loving, beautiful and full of life whose smile and laughter lit up her life and the lives of many others."

He went on: "Diminutive in stature, Denise had a personality that could fill the Albert Hall or, should I say, Hampden Park."

The service was followed by burial in the ancient churchyard which backs on to playing fields where the couple used to watch son Kyle play football.

Floral tributes were sent by the players, management and staff of two of Hendry's former clubs, Rangers and Blackburn, along with bouquets from Dalglish and his wife, Marina, and Gordon Taylor, of the Professional Footballers' Association.

Hendry's bouquet of blue flowers spelled out Plum, his wife's nickname – her maiden name was Duff. The attached card read: "You are the shining light in my life and always will be. Such an honour and privilege to be your husband and best friend. The memories are priceless. Till we meet in heaven. Love always Xx."

Mrs Hendry suffered multiple complications after the liposuction procedure and contracted meningitis following her latest surgery to correct the damage.

She had wanted to regain her figure after the birth of her youngest child, but fell ill two days after the operation at Broughton Park Hospital in Preston in April 2002.

All mourners yesterday were asked to sport a blue ribbon to support the Meningitis Trust Foundation. Donations at www.justgiving.com/denisehendry.