DEBBIE’S INCREDIBLE FIREWORK FAREWELL
It was the 45-year-old’s last wish to have her ashes turned into an explosive night-time display for her hometown to enjoy
A WOMAN organised for her ashes to be turned into an incredible fireworks display after losing her battle with cancer.
Debbie Smith, 45, was diagnosed with cancer around three years ago and died on October 11 last year.
As a part of her wishes, she arranged a spectacular firework display where her ashes were sent into the sky on Friday night.
Debbie organised the display with her good friend Gerry Lewis at Jubilee Fireworks. She chose the colours and the music, which included Just Drive by Alistair Griffin and Nemo by Nightwish, for the display at Barry Rugby Club.
Her friend Matthew Reynolds described her “an incredible woman”.
He said: “She managed to smile and remain positive during her battle with cancer. The fireworks display felt a final and a very emotional tribute for her friends and family overlooking the town and part of South Wales where she was born, grew up and worked.”
Debbie’s friend James Lee added: “Debbie was not your usual 40-something-year-old woman. She had many passions including those which some would call extreme.
“As a final goodbye she arranged a massive display for her friends and family to enjoy – she sure knew how to go out with a bang.
“Gerry and the team at Jubilee Fireworks discussed her wishes to have her ashes go up in mortartype professional fireworks. The team set these up from 8am on Friday with all members of the team doing it voluntarily for Debbie as she had previously worked on setting up displays. Her wish was fulfilled on March 24 at Barry RFC.”
Explosions and fireworks were described as one of Debbie’s “passions in life” and she had spent years working alongside the team at Jubilee Fireworks, setting up displays for all sorts of events.
But her other passion was cars. Described as a “true petrol head”, Debbie loved nothing more than to drive over the Black Mountains in sports cars and setting up firework displays for different events. She also organised events and days out with the Pistonheads members for South Wales.
James said: “Debbie was a true petrol head. She had been to the Nürburgring and driven sports cars around at speed. She attend the Goodwood festival of speed and the Goodwood revival, raced around Silverstone for Japfest and even had a per-sonal invite to the Goodwood 74th Members meeting from Lord March himself.”
Following her death, a Just Giving page was set up in Debbie’s memory which has already raised more than £800 for Velindre Cancer Centre which had helped her during her illness. James said: “We would all like to thank the nurses and staff at the Velindre Cancer Centre for how amazing they were with Deb. “Debbie’s smile and positive nature will be missed by all of her friends and family but will live in our memory for the amazing person she was.” The fundraising page set up in memory of Debbie can be found at www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/ Debbie-smith71