Mourners grieve over `feisty' duo
"UNITED in death as they were in life" were the sad words heard by mourners at the funeral of a Huddersfield mother and daughter yesterday.
About 100 people turned out to say goodbye to Samantha and Becky Jessop, of Almondbury.
They were found dead at their home on Fernside Avenue on December 14.
Samantha's partner, Richard Walsh, 32, is awaiting trial, accused of two murders.
The joint humanist funeral took place at Huddersfield Crematorium, Fixby.
Family and friends gathered to celebrate the lives of the two devoted reggae fans.
Samantha, 38, and 20-year-old Becky were described as "peas in a pod".
Mourners heard how the pair were more like sisters than mother and daughter.
Gill, the humanist minister conducting the service, said: "They shared similar tastes and styles and often bought and fought over the same clothes.
"But as much as they fought they were fiercely protective of each other.
"They had a strong love for each other."
The pair, who lived together in Almondbury, were described as feisty characters.
Samantha, who also has a son, Ryan, was creative and liked to use her artistic talents at home to design clothes and redecorate.
Becky died just a few days before her 21st birthday.
She worked in a taxi office and regularly enjoyed nights out with her friends at Johnny's nightclub in Huddersfield. She was described as a very caring daughter who always looked out for her mum.
In a statement read out at the funeral Samantha's sisters, Sarah and Susan, said: "Sam and Becky's deaths were unnecessary.
"Their lives cannot be replaced.
"They were two bright, beautiful women who could have done anything they wanted.
"They have left a huge void in our lives, but we cannot turn the clock back.
"We loved them very much.
"We wish things had been different."
Mourners were played a selection of Samantha and Becky's favourite songs, including ones by Bob Marley.
Walsh has been charged with double murder.
He will be kept in custody until his trial later this year.
