A mother who clung to life so she could see her six-year-old daughter open her presents on Christmas morning, has died aged 37.

Correena Done, who went to Mexico in search of a life-saving treatment, kept up her fighting spirit to be with her daughter Laura, her 33 year-old husband Adrian and other family at Christmas time

Correena, who battled for more than five years against cancer - including visiting a cure-centre in Mexico - died at her home in Chestnut Close, Keighley, yesterday.

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

Kind-hearted Keighley folk raised more than £11,000 in five weeks last year to send Correena, Adrian and Laura to an alternative treatment centre in Tijuana, Mexico,

Correena spent several weeks at the centre living on a special diet in a last-ditch attempt to find a cure.

She was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph nodes in 1993 and underwent several courses of chemotherapy at Airedale Hospital, Steeton.

"Some people might lose hope but Correena never did. She tried everything and it all helped to prolong her life,'' said Julie.

"She pushed herself to the limit and never complained however much pain she was in.''

Elizabeth Taylor, one of Correena's closest friends, said: "She saw Laura open her Christmas presents on Christmas Day and she fought right to the end.

"She has been absolutely amazing but she has been through enough. The family want to thank everyone who helped.''

Correena, who was also grandmother to her son John's son Fletcher, leaves her father Neil, other sister Janette Thornton, 28, and three brothers, Mark Thornton, 36, Ian Thornton, 34 and Christopher Thornton, 33.

She was educated at St Andrew's first school, Keighley, Keighley's Highfield middle school and Oakbank school and worked for a number of years at Peter Black's in Keighley.

Her funeral will take place on Tuesday January 12, at 11.15am at St Andrew's Church, Keighley. There will be a gathering in her memory at the Three Sisters public house in Fell Lane, Keighley.

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