A mum who had planned to renew her wedding vows before she died has lost her fight with cancer.

Carol Sewell, of Alder Close, Sheerness, passed away on Saturday morning with her husband Peter by her side.

She had organised a ceremony to renew her vows in December as an everlasting gift to her husband.

The service was going to take place at Holy Trinity Church Sheerness, in front of family and friends, three days before their 25th wedding anniversary.

Her brother Ian Cruickshanks said: “She had already cancelled her vows service because she knew she wasn’t going to make it.

“The vicar was prepared to do [the service] in her living room but that didn’t even happen.

“It’s upsetting because she really, really wanted to do that.”

Mrs Sewell was diagnosed with cancer in April last year and underwent a successful operation to remove the tumour, but it returned a year later.

The 58-year-old was taken into The Wisdom Hospice in Rochester on Friday, October 25, and the family was told she wouldn’t last the weekend.

Mr Cruickshanks said the family had been overwhelmed by offers of donations to help fulfil his sister’s dying wish following a Facebook appeal.

Many people had come forward to offer things like dresses and flowers for free.

“It was unreal how many people had come forward with donations – we could probably have done it twice over,” he said.

The 54-year-old said his sister had been determined to make it to Christmas and the family had lots of festivities planned with 24 of them due to get together.

“When someone has got that sort of illness and they say up to a year you expect they are going to go that long,” he said.

“We had Christmas all planned and it was all around her – she said we will have Christmas all together and I will be here with you all.

“We are still going to do it – we have got to do it for her. She used to like a party.

“We are all devastated and we are going to miss her.

“She was always there when anyone wanted her and you have got to take the happy memories with you.”

As well as her husband and brother, former Danley Middle School dinner lady Carol leaves six other siblings, four children, 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

• Mrs Sewell’s funeral will be at the Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing, on Friday, November 15, at 1pm, followed by a wake at the Co-op Sports and Social Club, St George’s Avenue, Sheerness. Family flowers only. Donations to The Wisdom Hospice via Havill Funeral Services on 01795 666355. Mourners are asked to wear something purple as that was her favourite colour.