by Duncan Williams, Christian Today
Family, friends and former colleagues gathered at Buckfast Abbey on Wednesday to bid a final farewell to former MP, broadcaster and author Ann Widdecombe.
A private Requiem Mass was held at the Devon abbey where Widdecombe worshipped regularly, with mourners coming together to commend her soul to God and give thanks for a life marked by public service, strong convictions and a deeply held Christian faith.
Buckfast Abbey confirmed that the service would be attended by family and invited guests only. The Abbey Church was closed to the public during the funeral, with an Order of Service published online and the homily delivered by the Rt Rev David Charlesworth, Abbot of Buckfast.
For many across Devon and beyond, the occasion represented more than the funeral of a well-known political figure. It was an opportunity to remember a woman whose Roman Catholic faith remained central to her life and public witness.
In a statement, Buckfast Abbey described Ann Widdecombe as a “kind and warm character” who would be “missed and fondly remembered” by the worshipping community.
“Ann was a woman of profound faith, a faith which found expression in the public forum of politics,” the statement said. “Ann was unafraid to express her unwavering convictions, formed through her Roman Catholic faith. She had a sharp intellect and was a dedicated public servant.”