East Lancashire mum, 39, dies after three-year cancer fight (From Lancashire Telegraph)

East Lancashire mum, 39, dies after three-year cancer fight

9:00am Wednesday 18th May 2011 in Crawshawbooth By Catherine Pye, Reporter

A ‘vivacious and inspirational’ mother-of-two has died aged 39 after a three-year battle with cancer.

Lea Hoole was diagnosed with grade four breast cancer just six months after giving birth to youngest daughter Isabella in 2008.

The cancer spread to her bones and her brain, but her family have paid tribute to her “positive, hardworking attitude”.

And they hope it will act as an example to others.

Mum Eileen Nieuwenhuizen, 60, said: “She embraced life, no matter what season it was - raining or sunny, winter or summer.

“Lea was full of life, and her death has hit us all. Not only was she my daughter, but she was my best friend too.”

Lea married husband Mark in 2004, after they met in a Helmshore pub, and they settled in Crawshawbooth.

In 2005, daughter Georgianna was born, followed three years later by Isabella.

Eileen said: “The children and Mark meant everything to Lea.

“At the moment the girls are up and down and don’t really understand what has happened.

"The youngest was with me the other day in a supermarket and told the person on the till that her mummy had died and gone to heaven.

“They keep telling me they want to grow wings and join her there.

"It’s very difficult, but we have to keep going and be strong for the girls.”

Dad Henk, 62, of Woodley Avenue, Accrington, said Lea was a real inspiration to others.

He said: “She loved her job as a brochure publications manager and often worked up to 12-hours-a day when deadlines were approaching.

“Even throughout all the chemotherapy and the radiotherapy, she continued working and I only once saw her get upset.”

Eileen said that her daughter lived life to the full and had enjoyed travelling extensively to places such as the Maldives, the Seychelles and Mexico.

She said: “Lea loved organising meals and dressing up. She even took me to a few Abba tribute band events.”

Lea, together with brothers Shane and Henk, grew up in Blackburn and Accrington.

At the age of 20, she left home to buy her own home in Crawshawbooth, to be near to friends.

For 18 years she worked for Airtours, at first selling cottage holidays, then becoming involved in the production of holiday brochures.

In December 2008, she began as a brochure publications manager for the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Manchester.

The family have praised the work done by Rossendale Hospice, where Lea spent time enjoying activities and receiving support.

She also took part in an awareness and fundraising project for the charity by allowing her story to be used in publicity.

Hospice manager Irene Smith said: “Lea astounded us all with her positive outlook and determination.

“Lea was determined to help others in a similar situation and desperately wanted people to know how our services had helped her.

“I asked her if she would be prepared to share her thoughts publically, which she immediately agreed, spending hours collating pictures and “her story” from which we created a video, first shown at our single largest fundraising event, the Annual Ball in 2009.

“I told Lea often, but am not sure she ever realised, how truly inspirational she was and how much she helped us and so many others.

“Lea will be both missed and treasured by some many people.”

Lea died on May 10 - three days after her seventh wedding anniversary. She was too ill to celebrate.

Her funeral will be held tomorrow at 10.20am at Accrington Crematorium Chapel, followed by an interment in the cemetery at 11am.

Instead of flowers, the family ask for donations to Breast Cancer Care or Rossendale Hospice, which can be made via L Champ Funeral Services in Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, or by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/teams/leahoole.

Brother Shane will also be raising money for Breast Cancer Care and two other charities by taking on the Three Peaks Challenge on July 1.