Dusty, 59, who was born Mary O'Brien, died last week after losing her fight against breast cancer. st Mary the Virgin Church in Henley-on-Thames, the Oxfordshire town where she shared her manision with her beloved cat Nicholas, was packed with members of her family, show-business friends and fans. Outside, more fans listened as her songs were played.

Henley came to a standstill as her horse-drawn coffin passed the crowds lining both sides of the main street. Lulu, another Sixties star, told the congregation she had looked up to Dusty from the start of her career.

Neil Tennant, with who Dusty had a 1987 hit, "What Have I Done To Deserve This?", spoke warmly of a "fab" lady who was "fun and sweet and a bit nutty" - and a perfectionist in the studio. Elvis Costello said: "Every note she sang will always inspire both listener and songwriter." He also read a tribute from Burt Bacharach: "You could hear just three notes and you knew it was Dusty." Elton John, Cilla Black, Tom Jones and Rod Stewart sent flowers.

Lucie Morris
Daily Mail (London),
March 13, 1999