MORE than 150 mourners gathered to pay their last respects to a "kind, funny and bubbly" mother-of-two who was stabbed to death in her own home.

The funeral of 38-year-old Julie Anne Mordue, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was held this afternoon.

Friends and family gathered in St Oswald’s Church, in Sowerby, near Thirsk, close to where Mrs Mordue grew up.

Among the mourners were her two children, 15-year-old Sophie and Nathan, 11, who comforted each other throughout the service.

The children have been orphaned by their mother’s death. Their father, 32-year-old Stuart Mordue, died in a motorcycle accident in 2004.

After yesterday’s service, Mrs Mordue was laid to rest alongside her husband.

Tributes were paid Mrs Mordue during the 45-minute service.

A former kitchen assistant at Allertonshire School, in Northallerton, Mrs Mordue was also a lover of motorcycling.

Her crash helmet was placed on top of her coffin, along with family flowers, during the service.

As well as traditional hymns being sung, two of Mrs Mordue’s favourite songs were played to mourners - Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell and My Heart Will Go On, by Celine Dion.

Among the mourners were Mrs Mordue’s family, friends and colleagues, along with Northallerton mayor Tony Hall.

The Reverend Nicola Carnall, who conducted the service, said: "We all want to give thanks for the joy Julie brought to her family and friends, for the love that she had for her children and all that was good about her.

"She was a very special person."

Mrs Mordue was born in Northallerton and grew up in Thirsk, moving back to Northallerton after getting married.

She died on April 21, after being stabbed in the kitchen of her home in Vicars Croft, close to the town centre.

Although she was rushed to the Friarage Hospital, less than half a mile from her home, medics were unable to save her.

Rev Carnall drew much of her sermon from to a conversation with Mrs Mordue’s sister, Louise Russell.

She said: "Julie loved spending time in the parks and running, she loved gardening and DIY.

"She had loads of friends and loved being with them.

"When Julie and Stuart met, it was love at first sight.

"Their main hobby was going out on their motorbikes.

"It was a terrible shock when Stuart was killed.

"Julie was kind, funny and bubbly.

"She was a very good woman, who would help anyone going through difficult times.

"Julie is someone to be remembered with love and pride and joy."

The Northern Echo attended Mrs Mordue's funeral with the permission of her family.

* Mrs Mordue’s ex-boyfriend, Nigel John McLean, 40, of no fixed address, appeared via video-link before a judge at Teesside Crown Court yesterday, charged with her murder. The case was adjourned until July.