Page last updated at 08:29 GMT, Tuesday, 23 September 2008 09:29 UK

Calendar for hospice death bride

Bury Cancer Supoprt Centre calendar
Actor John Henshaw (centre) was helping to launch the calendar

Colleagues of a former nurse who died 90 minutes after getting married are launching a calendar in her memory.

Elaine Stephenson, 48, wed her partner Chris Johnson, 50, at Bury Hospice in February. She died after battling ovarian cancer for a third time.

Ms Stephenson was a therapist at the Bury Cancer Support Centre, where the Calendar Girls style wall planner was being launched on Tuesday.

Actor John Henshaw and 12 female staff appear in the charity calendar.

"Elaine was a lovely, lively woman who was up for anything and we thought she'd love this cheeky way of honouring her memory," said Felicia Pressman, who works at the centre.

"We all miss her but think she'd be proud to see how the centre is now open three days a week."

Elaine Stephenson and Chris Johnson
The couple were forced to bring the wedding forward (Pic: MEN)

Ms Stephenson had beaten ovarian cancer twice in 2002 and 2004, but the disease returned last year.

She was due to marry Mr Johnson in August but the wedding was brought forward after doctors warned them her condition had suddenly deteriorated.

About 20 friends and family were present for the ceremony, which was carried out by a registrar Graeme Ramsden at Bury Hospice.

Bury Cancer Support Centre, which is funded through donations, offers support for cancer sufferers, their immediate families and their carers.

Support includes complementary therapies, counselling and regular workshops on advice for coping with cancer.

The calendar also commemorates Clive O'Hara, one of the centre managers, who died in June.




SEE ALSO
Bride dies after hospice wedding
08 Feb 08 |  Manchester

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