At most funerals you go along with your slither of the story and learn so much more about the person, that you never previously knew. At most funerals the family have been busy organising and deciding readings and hymns. At most funerals…

Let’s be honest, the funeral of Flick Rea was never going to be like other funerals…

First, it was the hottest day of the year, decade… ever and heck did we sweat under the relentless sun.

Second, the funeral was planned in detail by Flick herself, the readings, who should read them, the hymns, even the photos for the order of service… each personally chosen by Flick.

And third, the number of people… I counted 162 give or take 10 and Golders Green Crematorium was literally bursting.

Oh and the vicar leading the service, Jonathan Kester of Emmanuel Parish, West Hampstead, was a personal friend and requested by Flick.

Copies of the local newspaper of record, the Camden New Journal were handed out at the end of the service as Flick’s passing was on the Front Page, page 4, 5 and 6, she led the editorial on page 16 and already a letter of tribute on page 18. And the very personal and touching letter from Party Leader Rt Hon Ed Davey MP to the family was read out in full by her son Robert, only to be followed by a letter of condolence from Prime Minister Keir Starmer KCB KC MP.

The gasps of admiration in the chapel were audible at these tributes – all much deserved for the “Queen of West Hampstead”.

Now, one of the best things about the many achievements of Flick was that we have all known her for so long, loved her, her stories, her style, her camaraderie that most of those present at the funeral knew the details of most of those achievements. We weren’t there to learn, we were there to say thank you, to share the loss of one so special and to support each other with a hug and a tot or whisky or two. In the end, the real legacy of Flick Rea was in the people who she loved, and who loved her in return. It is a living legacy.

Her best friend Keith Moffitt spoke openly about his over 40 years together with Flick as activists and councillors and true bosom buddies. Free of the need to regale us with stories of Flick, Keith spoke from the heart on how she touched him and so many other people, how she had sparkle and style a-plenty. And he spoke tearfully and beautifully of the loss for him personally, but he spoke for all of us in thanking her for being our friend, for being a part of our lives – being able to say “Flick Rea, yep she was a friend of mine.”

And if we were in any doubt about the reach of her political charm I noted present today Cllr, or former Cllrs, Keith Moffitt, James King, Duncan Greenland, Arthur Graves, Russell Eagling, Tom Simon, David Abrahams, Judy Dixey, Paul Braithwaite, Heather Thompson, Matthew Sanders, Nancy Jirira, Linda Chung, John Bryant, Andrew Marshall, Jill Fraser, Will Coles, Nick Russell, Patrick Stillman and Matthew Kirk – and that was just Camden Liberal Democrats. (I’m sure I missed at least one or two others!). Truly Flick if you’re watching this, the roll call of people who wished to mark your life was quite a thing to behold, and I haven’t mentioned The Mayor of Camden, Georgia Gould MP, Rt Hon Sir Simon Hughes, Virginia Bonham Carter, Lord Pack, Baroness Garden and Baroness Tyler.

In years to come we will tell the story of that night at her home in Agamemnon Road, those drinks, that raffle, selection meeting and more besides – but at the root of all of these events was Flick Rea herself, local councillor, civic Alderwomen, MBE and loved by so many. We can each look back and each of us can truly say, I knew Flick Rea, she was a friend of mine.

One final but important note: the family. As we Liberal Democrats toast the elections and campaigns and the leaflets and stories, the Rea family they are coming to terms with the loss of a mother, a grandmother – the very matriarch of their family. Their loss is deep, real and indeed painful. Huge praise should be lavished upon her grandchildren and how they conducted themselves and contributed today and also to Robert and Kate. They closed a huge book today: the life of Flick Rea and the impact upon them will be huge and real. Robert spoke beautifully and with wit and aplomb as he led the tributes for the family. Our presence in numbers left the family in no doubt as to our love of their mum and grandmother, but they should know that the love of the whole Liberal Democrat family goes out to them all… thank you for letting us have so much of your wonderful Mum. And as the generations move on, you should know that she would have been proud of the party (wake) that you threw in her honour.

Agamemnon has seen many occasions, today was terrific tribute to splendid woman: Felicity Peel Rae. Flick – we loved you and always will. Thank you.

* Ed Fordham is a Former Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Hampstead and Highgate 2005, Hampstead and Kilburn 2010 and currently Group Leader on Derbyshire County Council.