A brave young mum whose greatest wish was to marry her fiancé before she died, has passed away two days after saying ‘I do’.
Armagh woman Jade Caughey, 28, married Lee Parker last Thursday after the couple decided to bring forward their wedding to New Year’s Eve.
Mrs Parker had been told in mid December that the cancer she has been living with had advanced and she was facing a terminal diagnosis - Belfast Live reports.
Her greatest wish was to marry her fiancé Lee with their sons by their side in early 2021, and friends rallied to raise funds to help pay for the nuptials.
But hopes for January wedding faded and on December 31, the couple wed in their Portadown home.
Lee said: “On the December 31, 2020, Jade and I made the choice to bring our wedding forward...she knew in herself that her time was getting shorter.
“We got married at home surrounded by close friends and family in a very intimate ceremony.
“Later that even [sic] Jade fell asleep and sadly never reawakened. Jade passed away peacefully at home early on January 2, with myself and [her dad] Billy holding her hands.
“Our hearts are broken but at peace knowing Jade is no longer suffering.
“Our family wud [sic] like to thank everyone for ur support during this horrific time.”
Just over a year ago Jade started suffering headaches and her doctor said she had polyps or small growths in her nasal passage.
She was prescribed antibiotics and returned to her busy life as mum to Ben aged six, and James two, and stepmum to Lee’s eldest son Kai, 13.
An appointment with the ENT unit at Craigavon Hospital was made and subsequently cancelled as the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
But after an emergency visit to A&E, Jade was diagnosed with cancer.
Tragically on December 17, the family was told the cancer had spread to the back of Jade’s head and her spine - and the following day she was told she had a couple of months to live.
Jade’s death notice reads: ‘Jade Parker nee Caughey - 2nd January 2021 peacefully at home, Union Street, Portadown after a long illness bravely fought. Jade Amanda, beloved and devoted wife of Lee, cherished mum of Ben and James, devoted stepmum of Kai and loving daughter of Billy and the late Wendy.”
Family and friends have been invited to pay their respects as the cortege leaves Milne’s Funeral Home, 59 Seagoe Rd on Friday, January 8 at 3pm.
