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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Orlaith Clinton

Tributes pour in after death of inspirational East Belfast mum Tazmyn Patterson

Hundreds of people have paid tribute to a popular East Belfast woman who died on Monday.

Tazmyn Patterson was referred to have a mole on her neck examined when she was pregnant with her daughter in 2014 - she was told she had malignant melanoma stage 1b.

The mum-of-three received two further cancer diagnosis after this and faced multiple obstacles in life - and despite all that was thrown her way, Tazmyn didn't complain, she "got stronger and never let anything get her down".

Read more: Tributes after death of NI mental health nurse

In summer 2021, she was told that her cancer had spread to her liver, lungs, spleen and brain. Speaking to Belfast Live at the time, Tazmyn said she "had no other choice" but to be strong, as she continued to be a loving mother, sister, wife, daughter and friend to many.

On Monday, March 20, Tazmyn's sister Jessica shared the devastating news that her sister had passed away.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Tazmyn's family described her as "a warrior who would not be forgotten".

Tazmyn's mum said: "My daughter shone as soon as the day she was born. She was the wee child that would make everyone smile and she would talk nonstop.

"She was even a character when she was a child and as she grew up into the beautiful woman she was, she shone bright over everyone.

"Now she could also be a thorn in my side, as out Tazmyn (TJ) loved a bit of drama. It was her way or no way.

"Her cancer never changed her. She never complained or felt sorry for herself. She just got on with it. Even when she had her lymph node operation, and her wee Boss had to be delivered at 30 weeks to allow treatment to start.

"Then another roller coaster ride when we nearly lost Boss. Tazmyn had so much to go through over the last three years, but she did it with a smile on her face. And she lived life to the fullest.

"I am so proud to call her my daughter and she will live on through her own children. She was my princess warrior and she will never be forgotten."

Tazmyn's aunt Julie said her niece was the one that everyone went to if they needed something, even throughout her illness.

"She was also so brave and would never want to worry us," Julie added.

"She never once complained about what she was going through. She was so strong and she was the boss - we had to do what she wanted. She knew everybody and no matter where you went with her, you weren't getting home for hours!"

Chloe Nixon, Tazmyn's cousin, described her as the big sister she never had.

"I looked up to her when we were little, and continue looking up to her bravery and courage, for the rest of my life. Se is my inspiration."

Remembering her sister for her positive outlook on life, Jessica Crowe told Belfast Live that her sister, and #TeamTaz, want everyone to know that Tazmyn never lost her battle to cancer, she won it.

"Today our hearts are broken," Jessica wrote.

"As we say goodbye to a beautiful daughter, sister, mother and wife. What a journey you have been on my sister, you never once complained, never once sat and felt sorry for yourself after all that life threw at you.

"You just got stronger and didn’t let anything or anyone get you down. My life will never be the same or will I. You were my best friend, I relied on you for everything but you taught me to be strong.

"There are no goodbyes. Wherever you’ll be, you’ll be in my heart. It’s not goodbye it’s see you later."

In the hours after Tazmyn's death, the community has set up a Go Fund Me link, to support the Patterson/Crowe family in the days and months ahead.

Please follow this link to access the fundraiser in memory of Tazmyn - "If you don't have hope, you don't have anything".

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