Tributes to Laura Robertson-Tierney

Hundreds of people, including family and friends from across the country along with medical and nursing staff who had cared for Laura, attended the service to say farewell.

The 18-year-old passed away in her mother’s arms at their home in Malton on February 29, following her 10-month battle with two aggressive brain tumours.

There was standing room only as Laura, affectionally known as Louby, was carried in a white coffin, covered in her favourite stargazer lillies, into St Mary’s Priory in Old Malton, followed by her mum, Emma.

Leading the service, the Rev Ian Robinson told the congregation they were celebrating Louby and her life in a rather unconventional way.

Rather than hymns, Louby had asked for a number of songs which has a special meaning to her and her mum Emma to be played during the service, including Count on Me by Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga’s Edge of Glory and Fly by Celine Dion.

Rev Robinson said: “Louby was a young lady, so special, so out of the ordinary that a unique day – February 29 – was the day she was released from her heroic and inspirational struggle for life.

“It’s a service where Lady Gaga has come face to face with the Gospel of St John and where the words sung by Celine Dion, Joe McElderry and Bruno Mars sit quite comfortably alongside the Christian understanding of death.

“So we’re right to be unconventional – it’s what Louby wished us to be at this time because in so many good ways Louby was unconventional.”

Rev Robinson said that although the tumours had invaded Louby’s life last April, from that moment something else also happened – there was a real outpouring of love.

“The song ‘Count on Me’ sums up the love of a mum and daughter, the love of family, friends, schoolmates, charities, carers doctors, business and of many other people who never met or knew her,” he said.

“What an extraordinary gift Louby gave us in the midst of her illness and treatment – love sprang from her. Her love caused those close to her and those in the wider community to reciprocate that love both to Louby and her family and each other.”

Louby’s ‘pop’ Bernard Cole said that people and friendships were a key part of her life.

“The number of people in her circle of friends and the strength of their friendships became clear last April when she was taken ill suddenly,” he said.

“Their response was truly overwhelming and continued and expanded throughout the following long and difficult months.”

Bernard said the many hugely successful fundraising events for Louby’s Lifeline, the appeal she set up to help those in similar circumstances, was an amazing display of the power and strength of true and loving friendships.

“Louby extended this wide circle of friends during her 200-day hospitalisation at Leeds General Infirmary and Jimmy’s to include not only Mr Wonderful, the lead consultant neuro-surgeon, but members of the nursing staff and a host of medical and support teams and charitable organisations,” he added.

“It was heartwarming to see her friends from these organisations at her 18th birthday party.

“A special mention has to be made of her dearest and closest friends Amber, Cheryl and fiancé Jaden, whose unwavering support and loyally were such a comfort and meant the world to Louby.”

Bernard said friends from Norton College had formally named a star, Louby’s star.

“We felt that this was a wonderfully touching thought,” he added.

“We came to the realisation that some of the beautiful stars in the galaxy were in fact no longer there but will none the less continue to shine brightly and illuminate the sky for many years. Our memories of Louby, the brightest star in the galaxy, will ensure she shines in our lives forever.”

Following the service, Louby’s family were joined by the congregation at Old Malton cemetery, where Louby was laid to rest.

Speaking this week, her mum Emma said she would like to thank all those who had attended the service.

“I would also like to thank Dales for the floral tributes, Ted and Anne Agar, Rev Robinson for conducting the unusual service and also all those who contributed to the retiring collection which raised more than £2,000 for Louby’s Lifeline,” she said.

“Since Lou’s death I have received hundreds of cards and messages of support from all over the country, some from people who had never even met Lou but were inspired by her courage and determination to fight their brain tumours and cancers.

“Losing Lou, my daughter and best friend, is something I will never come to terms and I cannot describe the pain I feel at not having her here with me. I will miss her smile and laughter every day.

“I hope all those who attended the service were given an insight into what an extraordinary and very special girl she was.”

Never Forget – friends honour Lou

A SPECIAL concert inspired by Louby is being held at Norton College next month.

Never Forget will include performances by her friends who will sing songs that were special to her, as well as numbers from previous productions at the college, including Grease and We Will Rock You.

Ryedale Youth Theatre will preview numbers from their forthcoming show, Footloose, and there will also be performances from Dance Expression.

Some of the cast from Malton and Norton Musical Theatre’s production of Oliver will take to the stage with members of Little Gems, while panto Dame Rory Queen will join fellow performers for a section featuring the musical Hairspray.

West End star and former pupil Lauren Hood will perform solo as well as taking part in an extract from Sister Act, while Jordan Langford and Nathan Lodge, both students at Italia Conti in London, will sing and take part in Take That – The Musical with some of Louby’s friends.

Clare Weatherill, one of the organisers, said the concert would be a tribute to Louby.

“Lou was such an inspiration to so many and worked tirelessly for Louby’s Lifeline throughout her illness,” she said.

“We wanted to give her something for herself and also to show her how much love and support there was for her and her family “The concert was organised and the money was for Louby but now we want the concert to be a tribute to her and the money to go to Emma to help her in this difficult time.”

Clare said that everyone was working hard to make it a special and memorable evening.

“It will be an amazing show for an amazing young woman and a chance for our community to come together and pay tribute to Louby’s strength and for all that she has done for others,” she added.

Never Forget will be held at Norton College on April, 2, 3 and 4 at 7pm. Tables are £40, four people per table, or £10 per ticket if tables are split.

There will be a bar and drinks served to table.

Phone Clare on 07846 107311 for tickets.