‘She fought her illness with grace and dignity’’
Tributes to brave mum Gemma as she loses cancer battle
AHEARTBROKEN mum has paid tribute to her ‘angel’ daughter after she lost her courageous fiveyear fight with cancer.
Gemma Nuttall, of Holden Wood Drive, Haslingden, died on Sunday, October 14, at Pendleside Hospice, aged 29.
The young mum been looking forward to a bright future following immunotherapy treatment in Germany funded by a £300,000 campaign.
But she received the devastating news in August that nothing more could be done after the cancer returned, spreading to her lungs, brain and spine.
She leaves loved ones and friends, including daughter Penelope, four, mum Helen and stepdad Graeme, dad David and brother Andrew. Mum Helen Sproates, of Haslingden, has vowed to continue her daughter’s legacy through the Gemma Rose Foundation, with the help of actress Kate Winslet, who visited Gemma in her last few months and is regarded as ‘a family friend’.
Helen, 56, said pressing on with the Foundation to honour Gemma gave her strength through her grief.
She said: “We want to raise as much money as we can so that people like Gemma – young parents who get cancer – can access the money and we can help them. It’s a legacy for Gemma and how lovely for Penelope.”
Helen paid tribute to the courage of the former Haslingden High School student, who had worked at Rawtenstall’s Asda, and said they need to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped them throughout Gemma’s illness, including the ‘incredible’ doctors.
She said: “The medical profession are amazed she lasted five years because it was such an aggressive form of cancer.
“It came back four or five times. At one point she had seven brain tumours. She never once complained or broke down. From being a young, strong, fit woman that used to run for Rossendale Harriers she ended up being blind in one eye and couldn’t use her legs.”
Helen said Gemma and Penelope were like ‘little mates’, adding: “Watching them together was just beautiful. She was so positive and determined that she wasn’t going to die.
“She said once she gave up and accepted she was going to die that was recognising that she was giving up on Penelope.”
Gemma’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 30 at Accrington Cemetery at 2.20pm.
See obituary on page 14.