String of Manchester United stars attend Rio Ferdinand's wife's funeral
Posted Friday, May 15, 2015 by Dailystar.co.uk
SIR ALEX FERGUSON was among many Manchester United stars who attending the funeral of Rio Ferdinand's wife Rebecca Ellison.
LAID TO REST: Rio Ferdinand and his late wife Rebecca Ellison and right, Sir Alex Ferguson and Nemanja Vidic
Ferdinand laid his wife to rest at a private ceremony in Bromley after she passed away following a short battle with breast cancer.
Sir Alex was joined by striker Robin van Persie and Ferdinand's former defensive partner Nemanja Vidic.
Darren Fletcher and Edwin van der Sar also attended the service.
Family is everything.. Duno what I'd do without my mad lot," tweeted Ferdinand's sister Sian.
SUPPORT: Sir Alex Ferguson was among those to attend the service
TRIBUTE: Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher also attended the funeral
Following the 34-year-old's passing Ferdinand released an emotional statement in which he described her as his "soulmate".
"She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children," it read.
"She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration.
"Myself, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca's parents Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks and months.
LOVED: Ms Ellison passed away earlier this month
"I would also like to express my gratitude for the dedication and expertise of the staff led by Professors Johnstone and Clarke at the Royal Marsden.
"Their valiant efforts to prolong Rebecca's all-too-short life will not be forgotten."
He added: "Our grief, as a family, is total. We would appreciate being allowed to mourn privately."
Ferdinand met his future wife while he was playing for West Ham United in the 1990s.
The defender married the personal trainer in 2009.
QPR manager Chris Ramsey described Ferdinand as a "man mountain" following the tragic news.
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