‘Beautiful’ grandmother laid to rest following Tunisia massacre
A GRANDMOTHER of four killed in the Tunisia terrorist atrocity was “beautiful, a woman of dignity and style with a heart of gold”, mourners at her funeral have been told.
Lisa Burbidge, 66, was one of the 38 people killed in the attack in Sousse almost three weeks ago. Among the victims were 30 Britons, including two Scots couples.
The rector, the Rev Barry Abbott, who took the service in Whickham, Gateshead, said it was an incident that had shocked the world.
The suburb came came to stop for the funeral at the St Mary the Virgin Church.
Mrs Burbidge was mother to Melanie and Louise, and was devoted to her late husband Bill, who died exactly 10 years before her.
The order of ser vice showed the couple smiling for the camera with the words “together forever” under the image. During the service, her granddaughters paid tribute to the trendy grandmother who lived for others and in whom they could confide.
The Rev Abbott said: “Lisa was beautiful, a woman of dignity and style with a heart of gold whose role was to nurture and care for those around her, always putting others before herself.
“She loved her mum Betty, Melanie and Louise her wonderful girls, and her grandchildren with all her heart – a love that will never end.”
He continued: “The pain and tragedy of Lisa’s death, along with all who died or were injured in Tunisia, has stunned the world.
“Our cities, towns and communities have felt the shockwaves of this crime. Here, and the surrounding area has seen a great outpouring of support.
“A wave of compassion has grown from this shared pain.
“When one of us is hurt we all hurt. Our community, along with all of Gateshead have come together to support Lisa’s family and the society we cherish.”
Loudspeakers relayed the ser vice to people stood outside.
Me a nw h i le , For eig n Office Minister Tobias Ellwood has paid tribute to the stoic nature of British families who lost loved ones.
Recalling the immediate aftermath, Mr Ellwood told MPs how the numbers climbed from five to six British victims in the first hours, to eight and then 12, before reaching 30.
He also spoke about how those killed became not “just 30 in numbers” but “they became individuals” and parts of a family as more information surfaced.