Christine MasiA HUSBAND is mourning the loss of the wife who saved his life. She died in his arms of cancer.

Christine Masi, 39, pulled her husband Giuseppe, 42, to safety when he got out of his depth at a holiday villa swimming pool in America.

But today, Mr Masi and his sons, Louis, 9, and Oliver, 7, are mourning the wife and devoted mum after her seven year battle with breast cancer.

Mr Masi said: "I am not a strong swimmer and I got out of my depth.

" I was in real trouble, as I struggled I saw the fear in her face and she grabbed a pole and pulled me into the side. I owe her my life," he said.

At her funeral service at St Mary's Church in Rodbourne yesterday her son Louis said he would always love his mum and said a tearful God Bless, while younger brother Oliver broke down as he tried to read his tribute.

Hundreds of close friends, family and colleagues attended the funeral service and later the burial at Whitworth Road cemetery.

Speaking after the funeral, Giuseppe, also known as Sep, of Cheney Manor Road, Rodbourne, said: "She was compassionate and inspirational, never a complainer and always looking out for others. She had a real zest for life.

"Even after she had been diagnosed and the cancer spread, she was still confident, helping others with problems, however materialistic they were.

"She was an amazing woman," said Mr Masi. "She had a sheer gutsy determination to live. She really wanted to see the children get to 17 or 18 and see them go to university.

"The children have been so strong. They organised the funeral, chose the coffin and decided the day. They are so proud of their mum."

She died at the Ridge-way Hospital in Wroughton in Giuseppe and the children's arms.

She had contracted breast cancer which later spread to her lungs.

Mrs Masi was Swindon born and bred and attended Headlands School.

She met Giuseppe in October 1984 when they both worked for Triumph International. Last Satur-day would have been their 17th wedding anniversary.

Later, Mrs Masi worked as a secretary for drug firm Hoescht Marion Roussel, and, like Mr Masi was a Bruce Springsteen fan. Two of his hits were played during the service.

Her boss, John Taylor, said: "Chris was a truly lovely lady who touched the lives of those around her helpful, approachable, just naturally lovely.

"I'll always remember, two days after she was diagnosed with the cancer in her lungs and told it was terminal she still went out and took part in a charity moonwalk, 26 miles in seven hours. At one point she was even dragging me along."

Sister-in-law, Carmela Masi of Hatherley Road, Nythe, said: "She was the most amazing person and an inspiration to so many.

"She gave so much and took so little, she was a beautiful person inside and out."