Long-term cancer sufferer Correena Done has died at the age of 37.

Correena, of Chestnut Close, Keighley, died peacefully at her home in the early hours of Tuesday. Her last words to her six-year-old daughter Laura were 'I love you', uttered three days earlier.

Correena had battled for more than five years against the disease. She fought long enough to see the New Year in with her family - Laura, her son John, 18, and her husband Adrian, 33.

Her sister Julie Jackson, 34, of Rydal Street, Keighley, says: "She will be best remembered for her courage and the fact she was always trying to find a cure, not just for herself and her daughter's generation, but for the world.

"The whole of Keighley contributed towards Corr-eena's hopes and dreams through their time, effort and devotion. Correena had no idea how many people thought about her and wanted to help her. It made her very proud to be a Keighley woman and I know she would want me to thank everyone for their support. She will be much missed."

Correena was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1993 and underwent several courses of chemotherapy at Airedale Hospital.

Last year, after a massive public appeal which raised more than £11,000, Correena, Laura and Adrian travelled to Mexico to an alternative-treatment centre in Tijuana in an attempt to find a cure. There she spent several weeks living on a special diet and undergoing therapy. But the treatment, intended to boost her immune system, failed.

She was confined to her bed during the last few months of her life after catching an infection. Just before Christmas she was told she had contracted cancer of the liver and bowels. Her last hope was thalidomide therapy, but she died before she could start it.

Julie adds: "Some people might lose hope, but Correena never did. She tried everything and it all helped to prolong her life.She wanted to live for Laura, John and Adrian and always believed in mind over matter."

Elizabeth Taylor, one of Correena's closest friends, says: "She saw Laura open her Christmas presents on Christmas Day and she fought right to the end. She was absolutely amazing but she had been through enough."

Born in July 1961 at Victoria Hospital, in Fell Lane, Keighley, Correena was the eldest of six children. She was brought up in Newtown Close, Keighley, and attended St Andrew's First, Highfield Middle and Oakbank Grammar schools. It was here, at the age of 14, that she met her life-long friend Julie Melvin.

She left school at the age of 16 and went to work for a number of firms, including Peter Black where she was a slipper sewer. She also worked at Keighley's Rat Trap club and Champers, now the 101 Club.

Correena married Adrian Done in 1993, on her birthday, at Keighley Registry Office. They spent their honeymoon in Blackpool and Greece. During her lifetime, she also visited France, Spain and North America. Adrian was with Correena every step of the way through her illness, giving up work to care for her.

Elizabeth, Julie, Correena's friend Debbie Roberts and her cousin Jackie Turton were the key organisers of the Correena Done Cancer Appeal Fund, set up just before she visited Mexico. They were the ones to arrange the various fundraising events which got her there.

Julie says: "Every one of them has been with Correena all the time and they have all been exceptionally loyal friends.

"I remember a lot of nights out on the town with Correena. She was a very familiar face around Keighley, especially as she loved to dance - to reggae music in particular.

"Correena had three dreams - to see her grandchild, Fletcher, to take Laura to school on her first day and to run with both children in the park. She achieved two of those dreams, but I know she also did the last one in her mind."

She leaves her two children - John and Laura - husband Adrian, father Neil Thornton, sister Janette Thornton, 28, and three brothers - Mark Thornton, 36, Ian Thornton, 34, and Christopher Thornton, 33. She has one grandchild - Fletcher, 11 months old.

Special thanks go to her friend Elaine Plunkett who said prayers with Correena at 10pm every night, Adrian's brother Andrew and her father-in-law Joe, Correena's father Neil, and her aunt Christine Wadsworth, Sue Wise, who had her head shaved for her appeal, Sue Wood, Sharon Wilson and Sheila, who were forever at her bedside, nursing staff and Dr McCllenon at St Andrew's Surgeries, Dr Crawford at Airedale Hospital, and Jean Done, who was there for Adrian.

Correena's funeral will take place on Tuesday, January 12, at 11.15am at St Andrew's Church, Keighley, followed by a cremation at Oakworth Crematorium. There will be a gathering in her memory at the Three Horses pub in Fell Lane, Keighley.

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