Lady Empey's mourners hear how late wife of UUP peer Lord Reg Empey once braved tour of H Blocks by UDA boss Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair

She is survived by her husband Reg, children Julie-Anne and Christopher, their spouses and three grandchildren.

Knock Presbyterian Church in Belfast, where she was a committed member, was packed for the funeral today.

Rev Marty Gray delivered the family's tribute to the congregation.

Lady Empey was Born in Ballylesson, Co Down, and worked in various administration positions, including one with medical insurance company BUPA. Eventually she became the PA to the owner of a financial services company.

She then moved into a fundraising role for PHAB, (Physically Handicapped, Able Bodied).

After the Troubles broke out she joined the RUC part-time Reserve.

"Based at Dunmurry RUC Station, one of her most memorable duties was guarding' the notorious Price sisters," Rev Gray said.

(Dolours and Marian Price were jailed in 1973 for an IRA bomb attack on the Old Bailey in London.)

"After leaving the police, she served on the Board of Visitors at the Crumlin Road and Maze/Long Kesh prisons. On one occasion she was escorted round the H Blocks by the convicted UDA boss, Johnny ‘Mad Dog Adair without any prison staff present, as they considered it too dangerous for them to escort her."

She once organised a charity parachute jump by Pamela Ballantyne. However when Pamela pulled out due to injury, she come up with a solution.

"'Oh', she said, 'I’ll get Reg to do it'. So, right in the middle of the talks leading to the Good Friday Agreement, Reg found himself undergoing a medical and preparing to go up to Eglinton RAF base to jump out of an aeroplane."

With a TV crew waiting on the ground, fortunately he landed on his feet.

In recognition of her work for a long list of charities, she was awarded an MBE in 2007.

Describing her as “a woman of faith” Rev Gray added: “Despite the adversity of her illness, her faith never wavered. She is now safe in her Saviour’s arms."