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Motorbike tribute to landlady Sally
CROWDS of bikers took part in a funeral procession for a pub landlady who touched the hearts of everyone she met.
Harley Davidson fan Sally Gooing, 54, moved to Irthlingborough about 14 years ago and worked at The Bull before moving to The British Arms in Baker Street.
She raised thousands of pounds for numerous charities and was known as someone who had time for everyone.
After surviving a brain anuerism, about 18 months ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer and was then later diagnosed with terminal liver cancer from which she died at home on February 13.
One of her best friends, Jacqui Fabian, helped to organise Sally’s funeral along with her other close friends, Paula Smith, Kelly Granfield and Carole Bellinger.
Mrs Fabian said: “Sally was a remarkable person, she was trustworthy, a brilliant friend.
“The pub’s popular with bikers but it’s also a community pub with people ranging from 19 to 70.
“She always had time for everyone.
“She was quite a character and once you’d met her you’d never forget her.
“When she was first diagnosed with terminal liver cancer she sat in the hospital comforting another friend whose husband was undergoing surgery for cancer.
“That was the kind of woman she was.”
Martyn Freeman helps run Irthlingborough Come and Fetch It which fundraises for good causes and was often supported by The British Arms.
He said: “At one point we were thinking of giving up but Sally convinced us to keep going.
“She never took praise for herself but she inspired other people.
“She was a lovely lady and everyone loved her.”
Sally chose her coffin which was designed to look as though it was a leather jacket and had pictures of some of her favourite things, including her boots, Jack Daniels, her partner Chris’ Harley Davidson and her Great Dane Saxon.
A band which had previously performed at The British Arms, Black Rose, also recorded their own version of one of Sally’s favourite songs, Bon Jovi’s It’s My Life for her funeral.
Sally leaves behind her partner Chris, her sons Chris and Ben and her grandchildren Mitchell, Braydon and Lexie.
Donations in Sally’s memory can be left at the pub in aid of the primary breast cancer unit at Northampton General Hospital.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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