Tributes as ‘beautiful’ mum with rare cancer dies at 48
HEARTFELT tributes have flooded in for a ‘beautiful’ mum with a ‘gorgeous smile’ and a ‘zest for life’ who tragically passed away after a battle with a rare form of cancer.
Catherine Gokcen, of Southport, died on Friday, surrounded by her closest family at home.
The popular, much-loved mum, who had worked as a learning centre facilitator in a local college, had been battling a rare form of cancer since 2019.
Catherine, 48, had been initially diagnosed with triple-negative primary breast cancer in autumn 2019, and had a single mastectomy, lymph node clearance and chemotherapy.
She was given the all clear in April 2020, but 14 months later, she went back to the doctor after noticing how her legs were going numb.
Her family were devastated when she received a second life-changing diagnosis, and was told that the secondary, stage four metastatic cancer had spread to her spine, liver, hip and chest.
Following the new diagnosis, she had to be rushed into emergency surgery at the Walton Centre in Liverpool to remove tumours from her back to avoid her becoming paralysed, and subsequently underwent three different types of chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy.
Yet treatment options were limited, owing to Catherine’s primary cancer being a rare form of the disease.
Catherine had begun treatment via a new, life-extending drug called Trodelvy in April, and her daughter Eve Gokcen, 21, had praised her mother’s strength and inspirational character only a few weeks ago in May.
Her grieving husband Neil, coowner and director of Birkdale Kitchen Co, paid tribute to his wife in a statement on Saturday (June 4) on social media which read: “With my heaviest heart, I’m absolutely devastated to announce the passing of the most beautiful mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend to so many, our Catherine Gokcen.
“She died at home yesterday, June 3, surrounded by her closest family beside her. You all know she’d been fighting a rare form of cancer since 2019, yet even with this, she carried herself with grace and dignity throughout and always shared her infectious smile for all to see.”
The sad news was met with an outpouring of tributes and heartfelt testimonials to Catherine’s beauty, spirit and courage.
Sue Howell commented: “Devastating to see this... there are no other words. Sending love to you all and may you now rest in peace, Catherine, having put up the most courageous fight.”
Similarly, Penny Crook said: “So sorry to hear this dreadful news... such a beautiful woman inside and out.”
Her sentiments were mirrored by Maria Molloy, who commented: “Catherine was such a beautiful lady and will be missed by all. My thoughts are with the family and much love sent.”
Meanwhile, Lucy Gittins echoed these comments, praising ‘the most beautiful family who radiated love and happiness,’ and adding: “Catherine lit up any room with her gorgeous smile and zest for life,” while
Jennifer Harwood-Fromberg said: “The most wonderful, beautiful light has gone out in the world... she was so, so special to so many.”
Daf Richardson said: “Catherine was such a beautiful lady and lovely friend to so many.”
In a similar way, Terence Bishop commented: “From the first time I met her, she was the most beautiful, loving, thoughtful and kind lady anyone could hope to meet.
Catherine leaves behind her husband Neil, her son Tom and her daughter Eve.
Her husband, Neil, added: “She will be so greatly missed by us and so many people who had the privilege to have known her.”
Catherine’s family have requested no flowers and that any donations be given via a link for their fundraising skydive in aid of The Larks, a Liverpool based charity for women living with breast cancer.
The charity offers services including reiki, reflexology, and treatments to ease the side effects of chemotherapy as well as hair and nail treatments and an opportunity to share experiences with women in similar situations.
Catherine lit up any room with her gorgeous smile and zest for life