MOURNERS are being asked to wear an item of pink clothing at the funeral of the much-loved EADT columnist Rhona Damant, which is to be held next week.Rhona, who lived in Great Waldingfield, near Sudbury, died last Thursday at the age of 45 after a seven-year battle against breast cancer.

MOURNERS are being asked to wear an item of pink clothing at the funeral of the much-loved EADT columnist Rhona Damant, which is to be held next week.

Rhona, who lived in Great Waldingfield, near Sudbury, died last Thursday at the age of 45 after a seven-year battle against breast cancer.

Yesterday her family released details of her funeral, which will be held at St Lawrence Church, Great Waldingfield, on Friday, November 17, at 2pm.

All gentlemen are requested to wear a pink tie - no black ties - and all ladies are asked to wear something pink.

Relatives have asked for family flowers only but donations can be made to the Mary Barron Suite, Colchester, c/o W.A. Deacon, 3 Norman Way, Lavenham, Suffolk.

Countless readers followed Rhona's fight against cancer in her weekly column and tributes have continued to pour into the EADT which show the extent to which the mother-of-two touched people's lives.

Clarissa Wright, from Saxmundham, wrote: “Rhona was an inspiration to me. I followed all her days through the EADT.

“She was a wonderful lady, I will always remember her. I never met her but felt that I knew her as a close friend.

“I lost a close loved one to cancer and I felt comfort from Rhona, rest in peace and God Bless.”

Karen, from Frinton-on-Sea in Essex, wrote: “My thoughts are with your family. I know your spirit lives on.

“You should be the face forever of the fight against cancer, you were such an inspiration to everybody. God bless all those close to you.”

Rhona, who was married to David, imagined her life after death as a fairy, and many of the messages make reference to that.

Dee Hendry, from Norfolk, said: “You fought your illness with tremendous courage and you are going to be missed. God bless you Rhona. Heaven has gained a most beautiful fairy.”

Michael Faulkner, from Yeovil, in Somerset said: My mum, who lives in Mildenhall, always sends me the Monday edition of the EADT so I can keep up with the local football scene, but I always read Rhona's column and it was with great sadness that I learnt of her death.

“I would have so loved to have met her, yet I felt she was a personal friend just by reading of her life with cancer.

“Rhona was an extraordinary woman who obviously touched so many lives. I'm sure we'll all miss her, none more so than her family and friends. God Bless, the Queen of the Fairies.”

In another tribute Wendy, from Sudbury, said: “Words cannot say how saddened I was to hear that Rhona had passed away. She was a true inspiration and very open about her illness. May the happiness fairy sprinkle you with her fairy dust in heaven.”

If you wish to add your own tributes please go to www.eadt.co.uk/rhona, or send to EADT Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.