Mourners gather to pay tribute to Chesterton mother Denise Jones

HUNDREDS of mourners have attended the funeral of a mother-of-three five weeks after she died in a motorbike crash.

Pillion passenger Denise Jones died in the crash on June 4 which left her husband, who was riding the bike, seriously injured.

The funeral was delayed to allow husband Adrian Jones to be discharged from hospital.

And Adrian attended yesterday’s funeral at Holy Trinity Church, in Chesterton, in a head brace.

The crash involving Adrian’s Suzuki bike and a car happened near the Britannia pub, in Bradwell Lane, Bradwell.

The Reverend Barry Wilson yesterday remembered Denise, of Heath Street, Chesterton, as a caring mother, grandmother and wife who loved life and looking after her pets.

He said: “When someone so young is taken from us, it is always a tragedy.

“The reason we are so sad is because we loved Denise very much.”

The congregation sang hymns Colours of Day and All Things Bright and Beautiful.

Denise, who worked at North Staffs Oatcake Bakers for 30 years, was born on March 17, 1957.

She married her childhood sweetheart Adrian in 1976 and the couple were often seen riding through Chesterton on his motorbikes.

Their three children Adrian, aged 34, Natalie, aged 30, and Dean, aged 29, wrote a tribute to their mum’s life which was read by Reverend Wilson.

He said: “Denise was highly thought of and lived for her family.

“She pandered to them and even when the family told her to sit down, she never would.

“It is only now that we realise how much she did for us all.”

Rev Wilson added: “They went all over the place on the bike, and could often be seen riding through Chesterton.

“Denise touched so many people’s lives.”

The congregation heard how Denise also doted on her six young grandchildren – Macie and Harvey, both aged three, Imogen, aged 23 months, Jayden, aged 19 months, Landon aged 10 month, and Ava, aged five months.

Mr Wilson added: “She had her traditions like buying them a money tin each and always kitting them out with their first pair of shoes.

“She wasn’t ready to leave us but all she would want is for Adrian and the grandkids to be looked after.

“She was always smiling and living life to the full.”

The congregation left the church to the sound of Feel My Love by pop star Adele.

The coffin was then taken by a black horse-drawn carriage to Bradwell Crematorium.

Police are continuing to investigate the crash which killed Denise.

The driver of the car has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The 55-year-old, who has not been named, will answer his bail later this month.