FAMILY and friends are to hold a service to celebrate the life of a former Blackburn nurse who died thousands of miles away in Canada.

Cecelia Hoffman (nee Smith), known as Celia, moved to Canada in the 1960s but died at her Ontario home, aged 58, after losing her five-year battle against cancer.

She had had several courses of chemotherapy, but her condition worsened and she was taken into hospital at the beginning of this month, where she died peacefully with her family at her side

Now Celia's East Lancashire family, sister Norma and brother David, are to hold a service to celebrate her life at St Joseph's RC Church, Audley Range, on Sunday at 3pm, with everyone who knew her invited to attend.

Born in July 1943 to the late James and Bertha Smith, Celia lived in the Hutton Street and Harwood Street areas of Blackburn and attended St Joseph's RC Girls' School.

On leaving, she went to work for Boots the Chemist and at 18 went to train at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

In 1964, Celia qualified as a nurse and she and a friend left Blackburn to work in Zambia, where she met her husband, Peter.

A year later, Celia was featured in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph when she phoned her delighted parents from Lusaka, 5,000 miles away, to tell them she and Peter, who was training to be a banker, were engaged.

They decided to continue their life together abroad and moved to Canada. She was a nurse at St Joseph's Catholic Hospital, Ontario, until she became too ill to work.

Youngest brother David, of St James's Road, Church, said: "Celia and Peter did really well for themselves out there. She had a beautiful home with her own private beach.

"My brother Arthur also lives in Canada, about 20 miles away. He went to visit and decided to stay, so he will be able to attend her funeral.

"My sister Norma is due to fly out at the end of May and I shall be going to see her family in the summer. We couldn't get there for the funeral we decided to have a service for everyone who remembers her from Blackburn."

Celia's mother Bertha visited every year until her death last year, aged 80.

Celia leaves two children, Nicola and Karl, and four grandchildren.

David said: "She was a dear sister, sister-in-law and a friend to many. We hope anyone who knew her will come along to her memorial service to celebrate her life."

Anyone who would like to attend can contact David on 01254 398844.