Philipwas healthy,fit andhad everything tolivefor..it tookalong, longtimeto accepthe wasgone

WHEN Julie Ann Conn’s husband travelled to Mexico to be best man at a close pal’s wedding, she could never have imagined the tragic events that were about to unfold.

Just days later, Philip, who was a serving soldier with the Royal Highland Fusiliers, was struck down by an aneurysm while alone in his hotel room.

After being discovered by friends, he was rushed to hospital where surgeons battled in vain to save his life.

Julie Ann had remained at home in Stevenston, Ayrshire, to look after daughters Niamh, 15 and Mia, 12.

She said: “We were all going to the wedding but, days before we were due to leave, Mia was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

“I decided to stay behind to look after her and told Philip to go as planned. He was in two minds but didn’t want to let his mate down at the last minute.

“We spoke on the phone every day and he was happy to hear Mia was feeling better. He said the holiday wasn’t the same without us and complained of a sore head.

“I thought it was the heat and I told him to enjoy himself. Little did I know it was the last time we would speak.”

The night before Philip was due to fly back to Scotland, he collapsed. After being told how serious his condition was, Julie Ann flew out to be by his side. At the hospital she was told to prepare for the worst.

She spent precious time with Philip, 38, before he passed away.

Julie Ann, 40, said: “The doctors were amazing and they tried everything possible to keep him with us.

“Tests revealed there was no brain activity but I just didn’t want to turn his life-support machine off. I stayed by his side until he could fight no more.

“My sister was looking after our girls. I phoned her and said, ‘You have to sit the kids down and tell them their dad is gone’. It was heartbreaking and very surreal.

“A few days later, I had Philip cremated as it was taking too long to repatriate his body.

“It was only a few weeks before Christmas and I couldn’t be apart from the children. Mia was just getting used to injecting insulin.”

Julie Ann admits adjusting to life without her husband – who was a sergeant and served 15 years in the