'She was always optimistic and just wanted life'
SHE was a courageous young woman who fought bravely right to the end, but Kelly Gates has finally lost her battle with cancer.
Mrs Gates' husband Derran and mother Yvonne Barber have spoken of their pride at the way the 28-year-old fought her illness with dignity and smiles despite the horrendous pain she was in.
Mrs Gates, of Coltsfoot Drive, Waterlooville, featured in The News earlier this year when we reported how her fight to get the breast cancer drug Herceptin meant she had to travel to London daily for treatment.
After a gruelling two years of intense medical care she was told in July there was nothing more doctors could do for her except offer pain relief.
Describing the last two weeks of Kelly's life, Mr Gates, 37, said: 'Once she was admitted to hospital it was like a steam train of things that happened to her.
'But she still kept her sense of humour, she still laughed as much as she could and didn't miss a thing.
'It would drive her mad if we started fussing over her. At one point in hospital she had 30 visitors in a single day – she had so many friends, so many people who loved her.
'Sometimes our house was like Piccadilly Circus, she always had so many friends and family round.'
Sadly, despite clinging on to the hope that she would beat it, doctors found the cancer had spread to her brain, bones, liver and lungs.
Mrs Barber, Kelly's 52-year-old mother, of Cedar Road, Baffins, said: 'Kelly always carried the hope that something would be round the corner, a miracle. She was always optimistic, making plans. She just wanted life.'
Despite Kelly's worsening condition the couple planned a dream trip to see the Northern Lights in February but sadly Kelly passed away in Southampton General Hospital on October 31.
'I would say to people who have just been diagnosed, "live your life",' said Mr Gates. 'Even if you haven't really got the money, just go for it because there may come a time when you will not be able to do those things.'
Kelly worked at Zurich Insurance in Portsmouth until she was too ill to carry on and had many friends from her time there.
Her mum, and dad Ian, 54, treasure the memories of their daughter dancing as a child for Princess Diana when she visited Portsmouth, and performing at the London Palladium, Sadlers Wells and even in Madrid with the Williams School of Dance as a child.
Wedding day to cherish
KELLY Gates was dearly loved by her family and friends for her warmth and kindness but also her straight-talking.
'She called a spade a spade and that is what people loved about her,' said her mum, Yvonne Barber. 'It was her way or not at all, but she would do anything for anyone.'
The couple married in a luxury resort in Jamaica in September 2007 surrounded by family and friends.
Two days after arriving back in the country they threw a huge wedding party where 350 friends joined them at HMS Nelson.
Kelly's husband, Derran, recalled: 'I remember her now, standing on the table, dancing, and it was as if there was nothing wrong with her.
'She had a brilliant time, surrounded by the friends and family she adored, and because she didn't drink, she said she would drive us to the hotel afterwards. She was unstoppable – she jumped into the BMW, veil hanging out of the window in her big wedding dress and zoomed down the motorway. I'll never forget that.'
Mrs Gates' stepson, 12-year-old Ryan, is a rising football star, scouted by several Premiership teams.
Even though she was in agony and could barely walk at times she would make the journey all over the country to watch him play, such was her pride in him.
Tributes have poured into her Facebook page. Her former dance teacher, Janet Williams, said: 'She truly was an inspiration to us all. I can still see her laughing and smiling.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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