In The News

Funeral takes place of cancer campaigner Una Crudden

Funeral takes place of cancer campaigner Una Crudden

THE Funeral has taken place of Belfast woman Uná Crudden, who led a high-profile campaign to encourage more women to undergo early screening for ovarian cancer before dying from the disease at the age of 60.

Requiem Mass was held in The Church of The Nativity, Poleglass. View the Funeral Arrangements for Uná Crudden.

Many of the mourners wore items of teal-coloured clothing. This was the colour which Uná had used during her campaigning.

Father Pat Sheehan told mourners: “Cancer revealed what an extraordinary person Uná was. She didn’t set out to set up campaigns, she just wanted to help other people from her own experience.”

Fr. Sheehan added: “It wasn’t just her voice that she wanted to be heard, her voice was for all those who suffered from ovarian cancer, and all cancers.”

A moving message from Mrs. Crudden to her family was included in the Order of Service. In the message, the mother and grandmother thanked her family for their love and support. She told them: “I wish I could spend more time with you but it was not meant to be. But just to let you know, you all mean the world to me. You wee the meaning of my life and the force that drove me on. In bad times and in good times you helped me remain strong.”

As well as raising awareness of the disease, Mrs. Crudden had carried out a tireless fundraising campaign for the Northern Ireland Hospice. Her efforts included posting a moving video on Youtube (see below).

Mrs. Crudden, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer five years ago, had also used social media sites Twitter and Facebook to encourage women to be more aware of the early symptoms of the disease.

She had also been vocal in challenging local politicians to use their influence to ensure that cancer drugs which are available in other parts of the U.K. were also readily available to patients in Northern Ireland.

Many warm tributes were paid to the mother of five who lived in Poleglass..

Health minister Jim Wells said: “Uná was a brave and very remarkable woman”.

SDLP health spokesman, Fearghal McKinney also paid tribute. He said: “I was deeply saddened and upset to learn of Uná’s death. She was a tremendously brave woman and campaigner.”

The MLA also said his party would continue to fight for equal access to cancer drugs. He added: “Uná’s legacy is a new, lasting and sincere focus on action that we can all take to help those affected by cancer. We all owe her a great debt for that”.

Donations in lieu of flowers were requested for the N.I. Hospice at Uná’s Just Giving page.

View Uná Cruddenʼs appeal for the N.I. Hospice.

View previous In the News items Tributes are paid to musician Bobby Keys, Funeral takes place of rugby legend Jack Kyle, Tributes are paid to crime writer P D James, Join the donor register and help save lives, Donating remains for medical research, Funeral takes place of Brendan Megraw, Guitarist Manitas de Plata passes away, Family funeral planned for Brendan Megraw, Tributes are paid to American poet Galway Kinnell, Actress Marcia Strassman passes away, Tributes have been paid to the singer Alvin Stardust, Renowned newspaper editor Ben Bradlee passes away, Former Australian PM Gough Whitlam passes away , Tributes are paid to actress Lynda Bellingham, Hundreds attend Memorial Service for Ian Paisley, Tributes are paid to actress Marian Seldes, Cancer remains top cause of death, Country singer George Hamilton IV passes away, Songwriter Bob Crewe passes away, Funeral takes place of Ian Paisley, Tributes are paid to Lord Attenborough, Albert Reynolds is given State Funeral, Tributes are paid to broadcaster Gerry Anderson, Tributes are paid to veteran actor JJ Murphy, Tribute are paid to former DJ Mike Smith, Funeral takes place of Churchwoman Lynda Patterson, Supermarket founder Karl Albrecht passes away, Actor James Garner passes away, Tributes are paid to Elaine Stritch, Tributes are paid to Presbyterian minister, Punk rocker Tommy Ramone passes away, Footballing legent Alfredo Di Stefano passes away, Tributes are paid to jazz musician Paul Horn, Tributes are paid to soul legend Bobby Womack, MBE for inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton, Actress and activist Ruby Dee passes away, Author Eric Hill passes away, Tributes are paid to Rik Mayall, Funeral takes place of Sir John Gorman, Former film star Mona Freeman passes away, Actress Ann B Davis passes away, Judges rule on remains of King Richard III, Smithfield legend Joe Kavanagh passes away, Singer Jerry Vale passes away, Comedian Eli Woods passes away, Shankill pays tribute to Hugh Smyth, Inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton passes away, Colourful funeral for brave Oscar Knox, Scientist Colin Pillinger passes away, Former boxing champion Jimmy Ellis passes away, Tributes are paid to Elena Baltacha, Paul Robeson Junior passes away, Tributes are paid to former footballer Sandy Jardine, Headstones are damaged at a Belfast cemetery, Tributes are paid to popular politician, Generous response in wake of marathon tragedy, Tributes are paid to actress Edna Dore, Private funeral is planned for Mickey Rooney, Country musician Arthur Smith passes away, Comedy writer Bob Larbey passes away, Surfing pioneer Hobie Alter passes away, Writer Sam McAughtry passes away, Internet sensation Peter Oakley passes away, Tributes are paid to actor James Rebhorn, Funeral takes place of James Ellis, Vandals damage graves in Newry, Voice actor Hal Douglas passes away, Belfast mourns passing of James Ellis, Actress Sheila MacRae passes away or Surgeon and author Sherwin Nuland passes away

If you have a relative or a friend who has passed away and feel they should be mentioned in our In the News section, then please email us.