WHAT should have been one of the proudest days in the life of local magistrate Sheila Whalley was an occasion tinged with deep sorrow.

For announcement of her being awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List came just 24 hours after the funeral of her husband, Graham, a popular and highly-respected St Helens business chief.

Sheila, who gained her award for services to her local community, choked back the tears as she said: "Graham was so proud when I was informed in advance that I had been awarded the MBE. We had, of course, to keep it secret until the official publication date on Saturday. After that, we had intended to really celebrate the honour in style."

But six days earlier (on Sunday, June 8) Graham collapsed and died at his home in Green Leach Lane. His sudden death stunned the local business world and charity and church circles.

Graham was one of three brother directors of the well-known Betakreet fencing and concrete products company based at Jackson Street, Parr.

A father of four and grandfather of three, Graham would have celebrated his 60th birthday on July 7. His youngest brother, Alistair, and niece Gillian Whalley, had already planned to jet over from their homes in South Africa as surprise guests.

Instead, they were among the family mourners at the service at St Anne and the Blessed Dominic Church, Sutton, attended by more than 600 relatives, friends, business associates, charity and church representatives.

In keeping with Graham's bright and optimistic nature, the Requiem Mass, before interment at St Helens Cemetery, was announced as 'A celebration of the final journey home' and family mourners and friends had been invited to wear their brightest ties.

The chief celebrant, Father Mark White, was assisted by five fellow priests and Anglican vicar, the Rev Chris Woods of Holy Trinity Church, Parr Mount.

Among the packed pews were a couple of young men 'off the streets' of St Helens, representing the homeless, a cause to which Graham and his wife Sheila had dedicated themselves in recent times, as well as vigorously supporting the disabled and church causes.

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