Louis Tomlinson 'is supported by Liam Payne' as he pays his final respects to late mother Johannah Deakin at private funeral service

By Jason Chester for MailOnline

Published: 13:31 EST, 28 December 2016 | Updated: 00:02 EST, 29 December 2016

Louis Tomlinson has said goodbye to late mother Johannah Deakin at an intimate funeral service attended by a select group of close friends and family members – amongst them One Direction band-mate Liam Payne.

The singer paid his respects to Johannah, who died earlier this month following a short battle with leukemia, in his hometown of Doncaster on December 21, three days before his 25th birthday.

The Doncaster Star report that close friend Liam, 23, joined Louis and his family for the private service and a subsequent wake, held at Ye Olde Bell Hotel and Restaurant in Nottinghamshire civil parish Barnby Moor.  

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Farewell:  Louis Tomlinson has said goodbye to late mother Johannah Deakin at an intimate funeral service attended by a select group of close friends and family members

It's understood that security at the contemporary country hotel was increased to ensure the singer, his younger sisters Lottie, 18, Felicite, 16, twins Daisy and Phoebe, both 12, and twin brother and sister Ernest and Doris, both aged two could grieve in private.

Following Johannah's death, a family statement read: 'It is with immeasurable sadness that Johannah Deakin’s family said goodbye to Johannah in the early hours of Wednesday 7th December 2016.

'Earlier this year Johannah was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukaemia that required immediate and continuous treatment. 

Support: One Direction band-mate Liam Payne joined Louis and his family for the private service and a subsequent wake, held at Ye Olde Bell Hotel and Restaurant in Nottinghamshire civil parish Barnby Moor

'We respectfully request that the family are given time and space to grieve in private.' 

Grieving husband Dan Deakin, Louis' stepfather, also paid tribute to his 'selfless' wife, while thanking the doctors who assisted her during her final weeks. 

Sharing a lengthy statement, he wrote: 'Johannah was first and foremost a truly amazing mother to seven children – Louis , Lottie, Félicité, and two sets of twins, Phoebe and Daisy and Ernest and Doris – whose individual talents and success are testament to the principles and beliefs she instilled in them. She was also an incredibly proud grandmother to Freddie. 

Tragic: Johannah leaves behind a large family, amongst them children Louis , Lottie, Félicité, and two sets of twins, Phoebe and Daisy and Ernest and Doris

'Incredibly selfless, she would always look to put other people before herself. She desired nothing more than for everyone around her to be happy and loving.

“She worked tirelessly on numerous charity campaigns, creating memories for many individuals and their families.

'It wasn’t uncommon for Johannah to hear through the media of an individual in need of assistance, and she would immediately make it her objective to get that person what they often desperately needed, and rarely without success.

Following Johannah's death, a family statement read: 'It is with immeasurable sadness that Johannah Deakin’s family said goodbye to Johannah in the early hours of Wednesday 7th December 2016' 

'These are the things that made Johannah happy and content in life, and all of which for me made her simply the perfect wife and best friend to face each day with.

'I thoroughly loved walking through life with her, and though five years was far too short a time, during that time we had so many lifetimes worth of happiness, adventures, and memories.

“We would like to send our sincere thanks to Professor Steve Mackinnon and his team at University College London Hospital where Johannah was hospitalised since May.

'And during the last few weeks Professor John Snowden and his colleagues at Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield.' 

 

 

 

 

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