A mother of four who sadly died after having a hip replacement operation was the "super glue" who held her family together, mourners heard at her funeral on Tuesday.
Heather Willis, who celebrated her 43rd birthday just over a fortnight ago, sadly passed away in hospital on February 7.
The days since her death were described as a "living nightmare" for her family and those who knew her, during a service of thanksgiving in Lisburn on Tuesday.
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Her grieving husband Keith Willis delivered a moving tribute to mourners at the Church.
"Our grief today is the price we pay for loving Heather. She was no ordinary person - she was super," he said. "She was super kind, super warm, super friendly, super loving, super wise, super caring, super gracious, super giving, super chatty, super laid back, super wife and super mum. Most of all, in our family, she was the super glue. By that I mean she held the family together."
He added: "Heather endeavoured to leave God's footprints on the hearts of those who met her."
Senior pastor at Lagan Valley Vineyard Church, Andrew Masters, told mourners: "The truth is there's no other way, really, to describe the last few days than as a living nightmare.
"And for all of us who know and love Heather - especially for Keith, for Noah, Ben, Poppy and Ruby, for Sharon, for Lindsay, for the whole family - the seventh of February has changed everything.
"In this moment we gather to be together, to comfort each other but we gather also to give thanks to God for Heather and to celebrate a life full of love and a life incredibly well lived."
On behalf of the family, the pastor issued thanks to the ambulance service, staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital's emergency department and intensive care unit for "how hard they worked for Heather and for the family".
Heather's sister, Sharon, also addressed the congregation alongside her other sister Lynsey.
"God always played a very important part in Heather's life," Sharon said. "She was brought up in a Christian environment. When they moved to Glasgow they joined the Vineyard family and Team Willis' church family began to develop. She had many values as a wife, mum, sister and friend - they were always God centred.
"She was so special, a real gem in many ways. Her genuine kindness, humbleness, her selfless nature, always putting others first, her generosity an inspiration, her memory making. How she was this person and kept all the plates spinning for Team Willis I will never know. Lindsey and I will do our best and keep these plates spinning."
She continued: "Life was good for them. Noah had passed his driving test and took some of the pressure off Heather. The kids were doing well in school. The business was doing great. Keith and Heather could go out and enjoy dinner on a Saturday night and enjoy some time as a couple again. Keith said he loved her more than he ever did.
"Heather had started a counselling course. And last but not least they were building their dream home. Three weeks ago she had her hip operation and was doing fantastic.
"I'm not sure how we're going to move on. I love you wee sis. I hope you know that. It wasn't meant to end like this. Heather, you're the best mum, wife, aunty, sister and daughter. We love you and will miss you forever."
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English (United States) ·