TRIBUTES have been paid after a mother-of-two died following an eight-month battle with cancer.
Elaine Purviss, 52, of Marchwiel, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last June and underwent intense chemotherapy, but she died at Nightingale House Hospice on Wednesday night.
Mrs Purviss raised £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and she presented a cheque to the charity on Sunday, three days before her death.
She is survived by husband Alan, 57, daughter Jody, 31, and son Grant, 28.
Speaking from their home on Scotts Close, Alan, who works at Kellogg’s in Wrexham, said: “It’s very surreal, I don’t think it’s properly sunk in yet.
“Elaine was the life and soul of any party. Her death has brought us all closer together.”
Son Grant, of Gyfelia, near Wrexham, added: “Mum was an extrovert. She was loud and proud and if you were feeling down she always knew how to lift your spirits.
She was so strong and so brave.”
Mrs Purviss met her husband at a New Year’s Eve party in Liverpool and the couple had been married for 33 years.
Before her death, Mrs Purviss worked at Flogas in Marchwiel and Moneypenny in Wrexham, and eventually in the housing department of Wrexham Council.
Following her diagnosis she underwent various forms of chemotherapy, but developed an allergy to her treatment.
Doctors said they could not continue with treatment until she improved, but her heath continued to decline.
Her family have heaped praise on the staff at Nightingale House Hospice, where she spent the final two weeks of her life.
Alan said: “It is just amazing. People have a pre-conceived image of a hospice, but it’s not what you think.
“It’s an open house and the staff there are so friendly, they will do anything for you.
“Elaine thought she was staying at a five-star hotel.”
Mrs Purviss also had grandchildren Lillybet, 10, Jacob, eight, Reuben, six, and
Joshua, five – the children of daughter Jody.
Jody, of Bangor-on-Dee, has started to compile a book about her life and is inviting friends of her mother to share their favourite memories.
Following her diagnosis, Mrs Purviss organised an auction evening, which took place at The Clubhouse on Wrexham Industrial Estate in November and raised more than £5,300,
Eleri Brady, fundraising manager for Macmillan in North Wales, said: “Elaine wanted to help others who are also going through the toughest fight most of us will ever face – a cancer diagnosis
“She worked hard to raise this money and we couldn’t provide our services without the people like Elaine who support us.”
Mrs Purviss’s funeral is yet to be arranged.