Extraordinary LIVES
MARCUS was our middle child and only son. He was always close to his sisters, Donna and Keriann, and they shared a happy childhood. They loved nature and we had pet dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters and even took in a stray goat. After doing well at school, Marcus studied medicine at Manchester University, graduating as a doctor in 1997. He worked as a GP in local surgeries, as a prison doctor and then as a locum in Warwickshire.
He loved to travel and took a year out to explore the world with his then girlfriend Alison. We have so many wonderful memories from when we joined them in New Zealand for six weeks. Marcus loved to ski and took his dad on holiday twice so he could try it. I went with Marcus on an amazing trip to the U.S.: just the two of us hired a Winnebago and toured Los Angeles, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite and Las Vegas. Marcus and Alison married in 2006 and their little girl Clara was born two years later. When she was three, Marcus
HAVE you lost a relative or friend in recent months whose life you’d like to celebrate? Our Friday column tells the stories of ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives. Email your 350-word tribute to: lives@dailymail.co. uk or write to: Extraordinary Lives, Scottish Daily Mail, 20 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6DB. Please include a contact phone number.
took up a post in Hastings, New Zealand. The family lived there for two years until Marcus was diagnosed with melanoma and they made the decision to return home. He recovered after treatment and had a few happy years until he was diagnosed with a kidney tumour. He had an operation in 2018 to remove the kidney, but unfortunately it was discovered that the cancer had spread to his organs and spine. There was nothing that could be done. The day before he died, we all spent the day with Marcus and, though sad, there was lots of laughter, as there always was when we were all together as a family. Marcus was such a kind person who loved giving joy to others. He was very popular and this was demonstrated at his funeral, which was attended by friends from all over the world. He had arranged his own funeral in the months before he died, recording his own eulogy, choosing the music and selecting a natural burial ground. He thanked family and friends for making his life so special and the final song he chose was Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, which epitomised the type of person he was. He always wanted people to be happy. He chose a silver birch to be planted on his grave. His friends have planted an orchard in his memory at his family home.
Dr MARCUS ABEL, born February 9, 1970; died June 17, 2019, aged 49.