Tributes paid to Gaynor after cancer battle

Gaynor Stowe, 48, hit the headlines in the Courier ten years ago, when she beat ill health to have her dream baby.

She had been dealt a massive blow years earlier when she was diagnosed with a benign tumour, which caused her to have epileptic fits.

Other medical worries reduced the risk of her conceiving and her baby plans were postponed.

But in 2006, Gaynor’s dream came true when she gave birth to daughter Imogen.

More heartache was to follow and when Imogen was just two-years-old, Gaynor was told the benign tumour had turned to cancer.

Despite the news, she was determined to live life to the full and managed to raise thousands of pounds for cancer charities.

Speaking about her loving daughter, Dawn McPartland, 70, said: “She was so bubbly and giving. She was such a generous person.

“She made a friend of everybody who came into contact with her.”

Daughter Imogen, ten, now lives with Gaynor’s cousin Gail and her husband Martin, as was her mum’s wish. She is also in contact with her dad.

Imogen said: “She was very chatty, she loved me to bits and she made the best meals.”

Gaynor, of Sowerby, who had trained as a chef when she was younger, also worked for the Halifax bank and for Provident.

Despite her health problems, Gaynor’s family said she always looked ahead and hoped each of her four operations would be the last.

But after surgery last year, her condition began to deteriorate and she sadly died on August 29.

She had planned her funeral down to the last detail and one special request was that everyone wear bright clothes.

In the months leading up to her death, Gaynor spent time at Overgate Hospice.

Her family are now determined to continue Gaynor’s work and keep raising money for the Elland-based hospice and other charities.

Little Imogen is also getting her school - Sowerby Village Primary School - involved.

Mrs McPartland said: “Thank you to everyone who looked after Gaynor.

“She had lots of friends and people who helped and supported her.”