A CHURCH service was suspended at Minster Abbey on Sheppey when a 94-year-old woman died in a pew. Rose Norris, of Queens Road, Minster, passed away during prayers.

Canon Gilbert Spencer ushered the congregation out and administered the last rites on Sunday before continuing the service at the neighbouring church hall.

He said: "It was her dearest wish to die in church. It is very sad, but she was surrounded by friends in a place she loved."

Mrs Norris, a widow for 27 years, suffered from angina. Canon Spencer said: "Rose was the oldest serving member of the congregation. She would have been 95 in a couple of weeks. She was always there to help. She came to every service. The church was her life. She was a lovely person."

Jean Gardner, a member of the congregation who knew Rose for many years, said: "She would have mapped out her funeral service years ago. She had no fear of dying. This was what she would have wanted."