UK: LONDON: FORMER BEATLES UNITED FOR MEMORIAL TO LINDA MCCARTNEY

(8 Jun 1998) English/Nat

The three former members of the 'Beatles' were reunited at a memorial service for Linda McCartney - the wife of Sir Paul.

Friends and family were remembering the life of the photographer and animal campaigner, who died of breast cancer in April.

Sir Paul McCartney wrote the hit song 'Let it be' to remember his mother - who died of breast cancer.

On Monday night, the ballad will be sung by hundreds of mourners at a private service in the historic church of St. Martins-in-the-Fields in London to remember his wife, Linda.
Famous names from show business like Sir Elton John mingled with friends from the vegetarian and animal rights groups which Linda McCartney lent her support.

And the other two surviving Beatles also attended the service.

Ringo Starr arrived with his wife Barbara Bach.

The so-called fifth Beatle - the group's producer, Sir George Martin was also at the service.

George Harrison, who is notoriously camera-shy slipped by with a raincoat pulled tightly over his head.

McCartney, who is 55, said he wanted the service to celebrate the full range of his wife's passions.

The couple, who were married in 1969, and only spent one night apart in those years.

Sir Paul was accompanied to the church by the couple's children, Heather, Mary, James and Stella, who is the fashion designer for Chloe.

It was announced in December 1995 that Mrs. McCartney was being treated for breast cancer.

At first it appeared to be working well, but in March the cancer was found to have spread to her liver.

Mrs. McCartney died at the family's ranch in Arizona on April 19.

She was cremated soon afterward and her ashes were scattered on the family farm in Sussex county south of London.

Hundreds of animal activists planned a candlelight vigil outside the church later on Monday.

The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said supporters are coming from many countries, including Germany, France and Italy.

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