Tributes have been paid to a "truly special" former paramedic who was diagnosed with cancer shortly after she retired.
More than 90 of Anne Carnell's ex-colleagues formed a guard of honour at her funeral, reflecting what her family describe as the "deep regard" in which she was held.
Posting on social media, one person she worked with described her as "my one in a million best friend".
Jeff Wilson said: "You are the reason I am where I am today, mentoring me throughout my time as a student. You are the loveliest, kindest person anyone could meet."
Another former colleague said: "You have taught me how to become a paramedic. Throughout our time together I could not have asked for a better crewmate."
Anne, 64, joined what is now South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) in 1992.
She was soon promoted to admin team leader and then admin team manager. As part of her role, she was personal assistant to the chief ambulance officer and the director of operations.
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In 1995 she asked to go out in a frontline ambulance to experience the "practical" side of what the service did.
She became a trainee technician at Winchester Ambulance Station in 1996, qualifying as a technician in 1997. The following year she married Paul, a fellow member of the ambulance service.
Anne qualified as a paramedic at the end of 1998, becoming acting team leader at Hightown Ambulance Station in Southampton a few years later.
Her family said: "While at Hightown Anne mentored many trainee paramedics who went on to achieve their paramedic qualification.
"She was greatly respected and this was further endorsed by the huge turnout at her funeral, at which over 90 of her former colleagues from around the county assembled in a guard of honour."
Anne, a mother of two, retired in the summer of 2023.
Early the following year she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a course of treatment that included chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The disease spread to her liver and lungs and she died at Countess Mountbatten Hospice in West End on April 15 2026.
Neil Cook, head of operations at SCAS, said: "Anne was a truly special part of our ambulance service.
"She touched the lives of patients, friends, and colleagues alike throughout her career, both as a vital frontline clinician and member of our corporate services.
"As a mentor she supported and coached many new paramedics, demonstrating exemplary patient care to everyone she worked alongside.
"Anne will be greatly missed, and I know the kindness, friendship and professionalism she brought to our service will continue to be remembered by all who knew her.”
The guard of honour at her funeral comprised people who were either off duty or had managed to switch shifts or arrange cover.
