A tragic Marlow mum who lost a battle with cancer less than four years after her teenage son drowned while swimming in the River Thames has been laid to rest.

Popular Simone Francis died on the morning of June 8 after a brave battle with cancer.

Her 13-year-old son Kyrece also sadly died after getting into difficulties while swimming in the Thames at Marlow in July 2014.

Simone’s funeral was held on Wednesday this week, with a service at Marlow’s All Saints Church at 11am as a celebration of her life.

Her hearse travelled up the High Street followed by her family and friends, before going on to High Wycombe Cemetery.

Her loved ones then gathered at Adams Park, home of Wycombe Wanderers FC, following her funeral, and asked for donations to be made to charity Sue Ryder, which is believed to have looked after Simone in her final days.

Dozens of people paid tribute to Simone on social media, with heartbroken friends calling her courageous, wonderful and “a beautiful lady inside and out”.

Friends and family of popular Great Marlow School pupil Kyrece rallied to raise tens of thousands of pounds following his death, which paid for life-saving units to be installed along the stretch where he died.

A charity set up in his name – Kyrece’s Legacy – went from strength to strength, raising enough money to install dozens of water safety units along the Thames between Temple Lock, in Marlow, and Cookham Reach Sailing Club.