ISIL victim Henning 'selfless and caring,' widow says

The British aid worker who was captured and eventually killed by Islamic State militants in Syria was "selfless and caring," his widow said at a memorial service in northern England Saturday.

Alan Henning, a 47-year-old taxi driver, was kidnapped in late December. Nine months later, a video was released showing Henning in an orange jumpsuit next to a masked ISIL member, who in British-accented English blamed Britain's airstrikes on the militant group's positions in Iraq. The Islamic State member then beheaded Henning.

Henning was one of several Western aid workers or journalists who have been captured by Islamic State followers, who then released videos of the bound hostages — and in some cases showed their gruesome deaths.

Henning, a father of two from Bolton, England, near Manchester, had been part of an aid convoy. He was captured while crossing into Syria.

Dozens of British Muslim leaders had urged the Islamic State, also known as ISIL, to release Henning. With roots in al-Qaeda's Iraqi affiliate, the Islamic State has transformed into a stronger organization that deftly uses social media to broadcast its threat during the bloody three-year war in neighboring Syria.

A private memorial service was held Saturday at Eccles Parish Church in Greater Manchester, according to a report by the U.K. Press Association. The church was decked with yellow ribbons, similar to the ones worn by well-wishers when holding out hope for Henning's release. Audio from the service was relayed outside the church.

"We must never forget the reason why he went to Syria and the reason he was taken from us — for being what we all should be, selfless and caring," said Barbara Henning, his widow.

Barbara and Henning's daughter, Lucy, walked in with Bethany and Michael Haines, the daughter and brother of David Haines, the Scottish aid worker who was also killed by ISIL.

Barbara Henning remembered her late husband as a caring man who was also a great joker. While serving as best man at his nephew's wedding, Alan produced two Hula Hoops instead of rings, she recalled.

She said her thoughts were with the families of John Foley, Steven Sotloff, David Haines and Peter Kassig, other Westerners killed or believed killed by ISIL, and she said she prayed for the release of John Cantlie, a journalist who was captured but still may be alive.