Funeral held for 'wonderful' Karen Rigby who died after cancer fight

Karen Rigby was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in 2015, however in December 2020, she had another operation after it returned.

In January 2021, this one was discovered to be a stage four glioblastoma unmethylated.

Despite an “inspirational” battle, Karen died on Sunday, November 6, aged 60.

Karen, bottom centre, with husband Kevin with daughter Lorraine and son Alex and their partners Craig and Debbie (Image: Submitted)

A funeral service for the mum-of-two, and gran-of-seven was held at Greenacres in Rainford on Tuesday morning.

Karen’s coffin was carried into the ceremony room to the sound of Never Forget by Take That.

In her words of welcome, celebrant Deidre Brannigan said: “Karen was a truly wonderful lady, throughout her illness she was nothing short of inspirational to those around her”.

Karen, a former Bewsey Autotrader and Risley New World Air Brake worker, was also said to be someone who “always thought of others”.

Paying tribute to her last month, her family said they hope her legacy will live on and will inspire others to never give up, while they also wish to raise vital awareness of the signs of the cruel disease.

Karen, with husband Kevin (Image: Submitted)

It was added at the service that Karen was “devoted to her family, her husband (Kevin), children (Alex and Lorraine her grandchildren”, who were described as “her absolute world”.

The service was told that Karen, originally from Stockton-on-Tees who was living in St Helens, was someone who “loved dogs” and was a “hard worker”, getting a part-time job at a corner shop at age 14 and later going to hairdressing college.

She then became a mobile hairdresser for Pilkington's pensioners.

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It was said how she would also “do their shopping for them or the washing up” and that she was “such a giver to everyone in her life”.

Karen met her beloved husband Kevin in Benidorm, and they were together for “almost 40 years” and that she made him laugh “every single day”.

There was also moments of reflection as Take That’s Rule The World was played.

Karen and her friend Tracy (Image: Submitted)

Karen’s brother-in-law Andrew Rigby then shared some fond memories, including the first time they met when he was 11 and she greeted him, ‘”You must be our little Andy, are you alright pet?’”.

He described her someone who was “always so caring” and shared an anecdote of at one Christmas party, after she’d been on the karaoke machine, Karen’s dad shouting to her ‘Karen you’ve a lovely voice but no for singing!’”.

During the service, poems were read, including ‘Karen my Beautiful friend’ by close friend Lynn Barton, and one from Karen’s grandchildren.

Karen, with her grandchildren (Image: Submitted)

Karen’s son Alex and daughter Lorraine, who lives in Great Sankey, then shared their touching tributes to their mum.

Alex said: “To explain how much mum meant to us is an impossible task” and described her as the “strongest and kindest” of people.

“She is everything to us and more, there is no way we could quantify the importance she holds in our lives”.

Karen and daughter Lorraine (Image: Submitted)

Lorraine added: “I’m so proud of all she’s achieved in her life” and that her mum “wasn’t one for a high-flying career” but valued her “beautiful family and close friendships.

“She didn’t just get all she wanted but she appreciated every single one of them.”

Karen, with children Alex and Lorraine (Image: Submitted)

Photographs of Karen in her life, were then shown as The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, by Roberta Flack, was played.

In her final reflections celebrant, Deidre Brannigan said: “I’m sure you appreciate the privilege of having shared some of your life with some of hers.”

A final farewell and thanks were made to end the service, with Robbie Williams’ Rock DJ played, before burial.

A picture of Karen on display outside the service hall during the funeral (Image: St Helens Star)