The life of a popular West Cumbrian thespian has been marked by friends, family and loved ones at her funeral.

Mourners packed into St Bridget's Church, Moresby, today to pay their respects to Mandy Norman.

The Whitehaven woman died suddenly at home at the age of 48.

A moving recording of Make me a channel of your peace sang by performer Mandy was played at her funeral.

Rev John Woolcock, who led the service, said the presence of so many mourners showed the affection Mandy held.

He paid tribute to the 48-year-old describing her "life-long love of singing, theatre and performing".

It was this love of the arts that was remembered throughout the service.

Loved ones watched as Mandy's coffin, followed by family members, entered the church to one of her favourite karaoke tunes White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane.

To mark the end of the service, a recording of Mandy singing the hymn Make me a channel of your peace was played to mourners.

Hymns were also played during the service.


Rev Woolcock spoke about Mandy's life and the impact she had on the lives of so many others.

He spoke about her growing up at Bransty, working in different places including Edgards and Dixons department store in Whitehaven before moving to Newcastle.

It was there that she became involved in punk bands. She continued her studies in Lancaster, where she developed her performing art skills.

Rev Woolcock paid tribute to Mandy, saying she enjoyed encouraging others and helping people to develop their talents in singing, music and drama.

He spoke of the different roles that Mandy had including working with the
Probation Service, as a learning mentor at Whitehaven School, and as a tutor, where she used her skills to help others and encourage them.

He described just some of the performances Mandy had been in from Billy Liar when she was at Richmond School, to performing Melvin Bragg's The Hired Man at Theatre by the Lake, in Keswick and also performances at Rosehill Theatre.

"So much more could be said about Mandy," he added.

Mourners were given time to reflect on their memories of Mandy.

Following the service, there was a committal at Distington Crematorium followed by refreshments for loved ones at The Waverley Hotel.

The Whitehaven News attended the funeral with permission from the family.