FAMILY and friends packed into York Crematorium to pay tribute to a mum-to-be who was “always smiling”.

There was standing room only as hundreds of mourners paid their respects to Janine Barker, 33, and her unborn son, Bertie Murray Barker.

Mother and son both died on September 3, three weeks after Mrs Barker, of Heworth, was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer while 18 weeks pregnant.

The humanist ceremony, conducted by Michelle Burns, heard “she loved travelling and crammed an incredible amount into her short life, and if you knew her, she enhanced your life.”

Mrs Barker moved to Turnberry, in Scotland, to be with her husband, Simon, in February, where they both worked for Nestle, but after falling pregnant she began struggling for breath during walks and complained of pain in her hips.

She returned to York for a holiday but continued to work and it was only when her work colleagues took her to a walk-in centre did doctors discover the true extent of her illness.

Andrew Smith, Mrs Barker’s uncle, spoke during the service.

He said: “We are challenged by the tragedy of this brutal reality to find hope.

“I find hope that through her life she was surrounded by the love of her husband, mum and dad, sister, family and friends.

“We must not remember Janine through the lens of this funeral - we must remember Janine lighting up the room with her smile and remember her like Tigger with her infectious energy and bounce.”

Mr Smith also spoke about the family’s unborn son.

He added: “When I need them most, words fail me, but we must talk about him because he gave Janine and Simon so much joy.

“He was rubbed, loved and talked- to as much as any bump could be.

“He was loved by Janine and they were together right until the end.”

Mr Smith added: “She meant so much to you, and bought so much to so many lives, and no-one who knew her will remain untouched by her death.

“Your grief is appropriate because to lose someone like Janine in the prime of her life is a terrible tragedy but she will be by your side because she meant so much to you.”

Mr Barker has previously paid tribute to his wife as reported by The Press. He said: “She was a loving and giving person. She was beautiful inside and out.”

* The Press attended the funeral with the family’s consent.