Hundreds of people packed a Ryedale church for the funeral of a popular young mum-to-be.

The service took place at the historic St Mary’s Priory in Old Malton last Thursday.

it was standing room only for many of those attending who included family, relatives, colleagues, customers and friends.

Lucy Copland was just 28-years-old when she collapsed at her home in Ashfield Avenue, Malton, on October 18.

Despite the valiant efforts of paramedics and hospital staff they were unable to save her or her unborn son who was christened Seth Nicholas Wright Copland.

Lucy was eight-months pregnant at the time and she and her partner, Jamie Wright, were said to be overjoyed at the prospect of being parents.

Jamie, who had been her partner for four years, was among the pallbearers who brought her coffin into the church. On top was a large bouquet of sunflowers.

Moving tributes were paid by a relative, Willie Taylor, and Jill Fothergill, manager of the Malton branch of Skipton Building Society where Lucy had worked for 10 years before being promoted to senior customer adviser at the Scarborough branch.

The congregation heard how she loved life and was full of life, how she liked to laugh and was able to laugh at herself, of her collection of shoes, an eye for fashion and how she was generous with her time.

She also took part in various charity events including Race for Life for which she would train for weeks.

If she heard someone saying anything bad about another she would jump to the other person’s defence.

She was described as modest, unassuming, loyal to her friends and how everyone agreed she would make an excellent mother.

The cover of the order of service had a picture of a smiling Lucy, a pair of blue baby boy’s bootees, a sunflower and the names of Lucy Jane Copland (8th May 1986-18thOctober 2014) and Seth Nicholas Wright Copland.

The congregation sang All Things Bright and Beautiful, Kum ba yah, my Lord and I danced in the morning.

The service was conducted by the vicar, the Rev Peter Robinson, who led the prayers and read the lesson from Psalm 139.

He described it as a sad but special occasion because Lucy was special as was the baby Seth.

He said it was a fitting tribute that so many people had come to the service.

“A number of people have told me how Lucy was so wonderful,” said Mr Robinson adding that customers at the building society liked her friendly and cheerful manner.

The couple had moved into their first house last year and while Jamie did the outside Lucy was responsible for the inside.

Jamie had told her colleagues he was planning to propose to Lucy on Christmas Day and had the ring ready for the occasion.

At the end of the service donations were invited to be shared between St Mary’s, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the charity 4Louis which offers support to help bereaved families capture those lasting precious memories of their baby.

The congregation was invited to join the family afterwards for refreshments at the Bowling Club in Norton.

The building society branch was closed on the day of the funeral as a mark of respect.

It had been inundated with cards of sympathy from customers and those who knew Lucy and a number of photos showing a smiling, happy Lucy at various events had been put up.

As Mr Robinson said in the service: “She clearly made an impression.”