Elizabeth Flanagan

The Ray of sunshine that was Elizabeth Holmes walked into my life in the Hacienda in Manchester in 1989 and we married in 1995. Elizabeth worked in hospitality in the city centre first at the Britannia Hotel, then the Midland Hotel before moving on to the Victoria and Albert. We started our little family in 1998 when George came along and Harriet in 2004. Elizabeth left the hospitality sector to work in education at Newman College in Chadderton before being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2015 at the age of 49. From the very start, Elizabeth was absolutely determined to beat this cruel disease and see her children grow up, with the help of the Christie in Manchester and many operations, radio therapy treatments and courses of chemotherapy followed. Her efforts to save her own life knew no bounds as through her oncologist Greg Wilson, she found her own liver specialist in Dr Ali Sheen when the cancer had spread to her liver, and lung specialist the amazing Dr Paras Delal at the Harefield in London. Thanks to them, Elizabeth had the opportunity to see George gain his degree in 2019 and Harriet move on to further education, recently co directing and writing her own film with the BFI Film Academy based at HOME in Manchester. Elizabeth was so proud of her children and thankful for that opportunity but finally lost her battle with bowel cancer on Monday 13th of December at home in my loving arms surrounded by her family. With a smile that would light up a room Elizabeth made friends wherever she went. Whether it was stopping in the street to buy a homeless person food or helping an elderly lady across the road, Elizabeth would never pass up an opportunity to help someone in need as many of her friends and those that knew her will warmly remember. Elizabeth will be missed by all who knew her, the kindest, beautiful and most generous person I have ever met, her concern in life was always for the well being of others. I can't thank the palliative, district and MacMillan nurses enough, who kept my family going in our time of need with their selfless care and love. Hopefully I can thank them through this page, raising funds for MacMillan Nurses in honour of Elizabeth Flanagan, who fought so hard to the end and will never be forgotten. Thank you. Peter, George and Harriet Xxx Love you forever Liz Xxx