Children's tears for their fun-loving mum

Choking back tears, Kimberley Luke, 17, and her ten-year-old brother, Kieran, stood before a packed church to share their memories of their mother, Johanna Luke.

Her funeral took place at St John's Church, Meadowfield, County Durham, yesterday.

Kimberley, with a protective arm around her brother, spoke of a fun-loving person who loved life.

She said: "There is no possible way I can explain how we both loved her. It would take forever to tell you.

"Caring, gentle, warm, generous, clever, hard-working, wonderful, proud, compassionate and beautiful are just a few of her qualities.

"She had the most unique sense of humour. She is the only person I know who would laugh at our jokes. She had a passion for life and was so full of fun.

"We will never forget the tragic way she was taken from us and we only wish we had had the chance to say goodbye properly.''

She told how her mother, who was known to her family and friends as Joh, had touched many lives and loved nothing better than a night out dancing with friends.

The congregation sobbed as Kimberley and Kieran then stood silently by their mother's coffin as they played the song Fix You, by the band Coldplay, to sum up how they felt about losing their "best friend".

A further tribute told how the 37-year-old accountant loved her job as financial officer at the Waddington Street Centre, in Durham City and how she was devoted to her children.

Mrs Luke was found unconscious in the living room of her home, in Priory Gardens, Willington, County Durham, on Sunday, August 28. She died shortly afterwards from head injuries at the University Hospital of North Durham. It is believed she was hit over the head with a blunt instrument.

Mrs Luke's husband of 18 years, Michael Luke, 45, has been charged with her murder. He is due before Teesside Crown Court on November 11.

* The Northern Echo reported on the funeral service with the permission of Mrs Luke's family.