Tributes paid as date is set
LOVED ones of tragic Rachel Wiszniewska, who was found dead with her new partner, are preparing to say their final goodbyes.
The 36-year-old’s funeral will be held on Thursday, six days after her beloved boyfriend Tony Lightburn, 35, was laid to rest.
The couple were found dead together at Tony’s Newcastle home, on Saturday December 1.
Rachel’s funeral will be held at the city’s West Road Crematorium at 1.15pm.
A death notice, placed in the Chronicle, says: “Rachel Faye died suddenly on Saturday 1st December 2018.
“Dearly loved sister of Ben, much loved foster daughter of Carol and sister to Jaz, Kareem, Kerry, Chris, also a loving partner of Tony.
“Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, can be made at the service in aid of Cancer Research.”
The couple’s bodies were found at taxi driver Tony’s house, on Monkchester Road in Walker.
Police are not treating their deaths as suspicious.
Friends have told how they had recently found happiness together.
On the Chronicle’s Facebook page, Nicola Moran wrote: “RIP Rach and Tony. Think everyone is still in shock, such a fun loving girl with so much to look forward to, it’s been lovely watching her and Tony get closer on Facebook, 100 photos a day, their future was bright.”
And Dani Dodds said: “Fly high Rach. You’re gonna be a miss. RIP Tony well done for making her smile again.”
While Dani Atkinson added: “RIP Rach can’t believe you’re gone. Glad Tony made you smile again.”
Tony grew up in the Deckham area of Gateshead with parents Lyn and Wizz and brother Chris.
Hayley Murray, who grew up with Tony when they were at school together, said he had seemed really happy with his new girlfriend.
“They hadn’t been together very long but she seemed like a lovely girl and they both seemed really, really happy together,” the 36-yearold tattoo artist said. “I was buzzing for him. It’s such a shame. It’s a bit of a Romeo and Juliet.”
And paying tribute to Tony, Hayley added: “I have known him since primary school. We grew up together.
“He was as daft as a brush, he was a little tinker, but me and him were always the ones that stuck up for one another.
“With him being mixed race he got a little bit of stick in the 80s, but he gave as good as he got. I only met Rachel once but she seemed lovely.”
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “At 9.43am on Saturday we received a report of concern for welfare for two people at an address in Monkchester Road, Walker.
“Police and emergency services attended the address, where they found an unresponsive male and female.
“The 35-year-old man and the 36-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the scene.
“There is not believed to be any third-party involvement. A report has been prepared for the coroner.”
Tony’s funeral will be held at 10.15am on Friday at Newcastle’s West Road Cemetery and will be followed by a wake at the PTE Club in Byker.
Think everyone is still in shock, such a fun loving girl with so much to look forward to...