Coleshill mum Debbie Marston is buried in her wedding dress
Nov 11 2010 by Anuji Varma, Birmingham Mail
TRAGIC bride-to-be Debbie Marston’s dying wish was fulfilled as she was buried in the wedding dress she never got to wear.
The brave Coleshill mum, who lost her battle against cancer just days before the nuptials, made the request on her deathbed to fiancé Ray Swift and her close family.
And yesterday, the former Birmingham pub landlady, aged 50, was laid to rest wearing the beautiful beaded white gown that she had chosen before her death on November 2.
Mourners lined the High Street as Debbie’s coffin was taken to Coleshill CofE Church in an elaborate white carriage pulled by four horses wearing feathered plumes.
A lone bagpiper greeted the 500-strong congregation who had all been asked to dress as though they were attending Debbie and Ray’s wedding, which was supposed to take place on November 21.
Fiancé Ray wore his wedding suit, a gold cravat, waistcoat and cowboy hat, whilst Debbie’s son Vincenzo Perito, aged 29, also wore the suit he had planned to wear on the day. Entrepreneur Ray, 60, went on to pay tribute to his wife-to-be, who he said had led a “full life”.
The touching ceremony also heard how Debbie, who was diagnosed with cancer in January, was a vibrant and strong person, starting work at Birmingham’s Rag Market aged just 14 and then going onto become a dancer.
