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Donation to hospice was Christina's wish

12/12/2007

MORE than £700 has been given to Springhill Hospice in memory of a Whitworth woman.

Christina Longstaff died in October after battling cancer for seven years. The mother of two passed away on the day she and husband, Ernest, should have been celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary.

Today would have been her 64th birthday.

Her husband, of Market Street, said: “Christina said she wanted donations for Springhill Hospice instead of floral tributes.

“She went in the hospice two or three times and was well looked after.

“But she died peacefully at home, which is what she wanted.”

Mrs Longstaff was born and raised in West Meath, Ireland.

“At the age of 12 she came with her family to England and after first living in Britannia, the family settled in Whitworth.

Mr Longstaff said: “We lived in Whitworth after our marriage and then moved to Rochdale, but came back to the Valley five years ago.“

Mrs Longstaff worked for Littlewoods for nine years and then Marathon Belting, in Whitworth Road, until ill-health forced her retirement.

“She was very sociable. Before her illness she used to play bowls and she loved music,”

A devoted fan of the American singer Pat Boone, Mrs Longstaff saw her idol perform in Ireland during his 2005 farewell tour.

As well as being a much-loved wife and mother to Gary and Joanne, Mrs Longstaff was a devoted grandma to Holly and Alice and also a loving sister.

Pat Boone's recording of Ave Maria was played at the funeral, which was held at Our Lady and St Anselm's RC Church.