A FUNERAL service was held to give a fitting send-off to much-loved former Providence Hospital nurse Vera Middleton.

A Mass was held at Holy Cross on Monday afternoon (June 4) to commemorate the life of Veronica 'Vera' Frances Middleton, who passed away at Eccleston Court care home on Sunday, May 20 aged 85.

The Catholic service, led by Father Kevan O'Brien was held in memory of the former nurse, who cared for many people over the decades and was awarded the highest possible honour for a layperson by Pope St John Paul II.

Vera was the widow of the late well-known Dr John Middleton, with whom she volunteered to support the sick for many years.

Born in County Kilkenny, in Ireland, Vera trained as a nurse at the town's former Providence Hospital in 1954.

She also trained as a midwife in Dublin in 1955, before returning to the 'Provvy' and worked nights at the Catholic institution until its eventual closure in 1982.

A statement by Vera's friends after her death said: "She continued night nursing until the end of her career at Whiston Hospital and various nursing homes such as Newton-le-Willows, Mayfield and Eccleston Court, where she died last Sunday.

"Her first pilgrimage nursing the sick was to Lourdes in 1958. She married a well-loved doctor, John Middleton, in 1968 and they both volunteered supporting the sick of the Liverpool Pilgrimage for many years".

Vera and John both received a papal award in 1989 from then Pope St John Paul II, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, which is known as the 'Decoration of Honour' and is the highest honour the laity can receive.

It is conferred for "distinguished service to the church by lay people".

At the end of the service, Vera's coffin was carried out to the hymn Amazing Grace.

The funeral service was followed by cremation at the St Helens Crematorium.