Caron Gilchrist who championed the Northern Ireland Hospice has passed away.
The 33-year-old former senior civil servant died on Monday evening with her husband Peter, mum Norma and her little dog Letty by her side.
Just two weeks ago Caron, from Ballyclare , Co Antrim, had asked to give an to help others facing hospice care, and her message was read by thousands of people.
Mum Norma said: “She fought to the very end. She was very weak but she was determined and decided that she would have a shower by herself.
"Her doctor was not too happy about that but of course they let her and she managed to stand up and have a lovely shower all on her own.
“When she came into the room I could see that she was tired and I helped to dry her back and then she just fell into my arms.
"We got her into bed for a sleep and she slipped into a peaceful sleep and she never woke up. She was not in any pain, she was in no distress and she’d fulfilled her wish to have a shower by herself. Caron's determination never faltered.
“Now we hope that her message of hope, her example of fighting hard and living well, will have reached enough people.
"Peter’s heart and my heart are broken, we're all just so lonely for her. But we know that the hospice gave Caron the best chance of living her best life pain-free.
“Even in my devastation I can say how very proud I am to call Caron my daughter. She was a girl like no other. She is home now and just looks like she is sleeping. But we will have to say our goodbyes on Thursday at her funeral. How we will do that I just don't know.
“Peter and myself and Caron’s daddy want to thank everyone who helped Caron and who helped us in this difficult times. She never gave up, she never gave in and the hospice allowed her to do that on her own terms.
“Now we hope that Caron’s message of hope, and fearless striving to live the best life will stay with people forever.
"Her , until the end of days and for that I am grateful.”
Caron had been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2016 and given three months to live. Three years later she turned to hospice care for pain relief control.
A small, private funeral service for immediate family only will be held for Caron on Thursday and a tribute will be organised at a later date.
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