A FUNERAL will celebrate the life of a loving mother who defied the odds after vowing never to give up.
Claire Breen, 46, of Llys Wylfa, Mynydd Isa, near Mold, was given six months to live but fought determinedly for four years.
She died from cancer at Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham on November 16.
“She said she wasn’t leaving her boys,” said husband of 20 years Rob Breen, father to James, nine.
“She was a very determined lady. Her motto was ‘never, never, never give up’,” he added.
Ten years ago the couple suffered the loss of four-year-old daughter Ellé.
She died at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool from a heart complaint she was born with.
Three years later, when James was 18-months-old, Mrs Breen was diagnosed with breast cancer which later spread.
The PA to the director of registry at Chester University underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the Wrexham Maelor and Glan Clwyd hospitals.
“The cancer never went away. It kept coming back,” said Mr Breen.
“But she was very stylish and classy.
“A neighbour didn’t even know she had been that ill for that long as she always looked so good.
“She was totally selfless. She never let anyone else worry. She was a caring and loving mum.”
He added: “She was a real fighting, intelligent person.
“Even at the end the Macmillan nurse came to say goodbye to her and she said ‘what do you mean? I’m not going anywhere’.”
The family had a caravan in Anglesey which they visited most weekends and Mrs Breen adored cats. Mr Breen said: “She was absolutely cat mad. We’ve got two and they are missing her.”
The process manager at Airbus in Broughton had been caring for his wife at home for the past six months.
“Airbus have been fantastically supportive and the university was brilliant with Claire throughout her illness.”
The funeral will be held at St Mary’s Parish Church in Mold on Tuesday at 10am, followed by a service at Pentrebychan Crematorium.
Family flowers only have been requested but donations can be made to Nightingale House.
Mr Breen said: “The funeral will be absolutely packed.
“She was so popular. I am expecting 200 people or more.
“We are going to give her the celebration of her life she deserves.”