MANY say funerals are a celebration of a person's life.
However, yesterday's farewell to Sharon Dixon, 54, at Grimsby Crematorium, truly was.
The popular character sadly died after choking during an Easter Monday boiled egg eating contest at the Wellington Arms on Grimsby's Freeman Street.
Despite the best efforts of her friends, bar staff and paramedics, she passed away in Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital on April 3, surrounded by her family and close friends.
Mourners exchanged smiles and shed tears in equal measure as her coffin was carried in to I Am What I Am, from the Broadway musical La Cage Aux Folles.
There were even a few giggles among the sobs as her family's other choices, I Like To Boogie, by T Rex, and Chubby Checker's The Twist, were played.
However, as Councillor Jon Paul Howarth remarked during his moving eulogy to "Shazza", the choice of music truly summed-up the personality and sense of humour of the "party girl" who loved nothing more than to dance.
Councillor Howarth added: "She was a great friend to many. She organised lots of charity events.
"She had one child, her daughter Toni. Together they shared many good memories and had the same sense of humour."
Born in 1959, Mrs Dixon spent most of her childhood in Laceby.
However, even at a young age, it was clear she was determined to live her life the way she wanted to and that she was different from the rest of the family.
He said: "She was loud, outgoing and the life and soul of every party."
As a teenager, she trained as a hairdresser, going on to win numerous awards and competitions.
She was always striving for perfection, to the point she once made her tutors open up the college just for her, so she could make some last-minute changes to a competition entry.
He added Mrs Dixon's parties were "legendary" speaking fondly of her love of dressing up, fancy dress and – most recently – hats.
Having run pubs in Freeman Street for many years, she was also known for her "inventive" cocktails, which always came complete with umbrellas, straws and sparklers for good measure.
She also loved animals – particularly her two dogs – but hated cats and would push people into their path to get out of the way if she saw one in the street.
Mrs Dixon was also a longstanding member of the Spiritualist Church.
Councillor Howarth finished by saying: "Don't be sad, as in Shazza's own words, she will see you all later."
