Doreen Searle, the Crusaders' number one fan, was following her team right up until she died of a heart attack in hospital on Sunday night.

Last Friday, senior players Sam Whitelock and Matt Todd - two of Doreen's favourite Crusaders - visited the 96-year-old for an hour, her niece Linda Cattermole said.

"She couldn't believe them turning up. She got very excited when she saw her boys."

DAVID WALKER/FAIRFAX NZ Avid Canterbury rugby fan Doreen Searle, with Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach and the Ranfurly Shield.

One of eight sisters, Doreen was the only one who never married - but thanks to her passionate support of the Crusaders, she had a whole squad of children.

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"They're my boys. I just live for them, they're my special people," she said in 2013.

STUFF Doreen Searle was a big fan of Crusaders skipper Sam Whitelock.

Over the years, some of those players returned the favour in a variety of ways, including an 80th birthday card from Todd Blackadder, Whitelock personally delivering her 89th birthday cake and, for her 95th, a signed copy of Dan Carter's autobiography.

Although she didn't manage to see the Crusaders game on Saturday night - she was feeling too unwell - Doreen was able to watch the Hurricanes play the Chiefs on Friday.

Another niece, Liz Reeves, said Doreen was on such a high after her visit from Whitelock and Todd earlier in the day that she celebrated watching the game with a small glass of sherry.

STUFF Doreen Searle was proud to wear red and black.

Doreen had followed the Crusaders' progress closely this season and was extremely pleased with the team's form, Reeves said,.

She always dressed up in red and black to watch the team's games on television and had a house full of Crusader memorabilia, along with a row of original Lancaster Park wooden seats.

BNZ Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said the Crusaders were working through how to honour Dorren.

IAIN MCGREGOR/STUFF A lifelong fan, Doreen Searle filled her lounge with Crusaders and Canterbury rugby memorabilia.

"The Crusaders were fortunate to have a wonderful connection with Doreen, who was one of our most loyal supporters," he said.

"Doreen was an important part of the Crusaders family so we are deeply saddened by the news of her passing and our thoughts are with her family at this sad time. As a mark of respect, we will be honouring Doreen in the lead up to our game this weekend."

Doreen's funeral will be at Lamb and Haywood's Rangiora chapel. Cattermole said it will be a celebration of her life.

DAVID WALKER/FAIRFAX NZ For her 95th birthday in 2016, Doreen Searle received a signed copy of Dan Carter's autobiography and Crusaders boss Hamish Riach came around with the Ranfurly Shield.

Doreen will be carried into the chapel by family members to the backing of the Crusaders song, while her coffin will be draped in the team's flag.

The Crusaders' number one fan, right to the end.