A MUM with a ‘zest for life’ refused to let cancer stop her from making precious memories during her final days.

Two weeks before her death, Brenda Rhodes, 62, hosted a party to celebrate her love for her family and friends.

Her daughter Caroline Potter, from Orford, said: “She had a passion for living and always loved to have people round for dinner. 

“She loved being a hostess.

“Two weeks before she died she had a Mexican-themed party.

“She was on oxygen and a lot of medication but she would not have it any other way.”

Brenda, who ran Food 4 Thought with her husband Peter, 64, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of metaplastic cancer earlier this year.

The 62-year-old, who grew up in Orford but most recently lived in Moore, has endured a number of operations including a lumpectomy and mastectomy as well as chemotherapy.

In November, the Warrington Guardian published an appeal to arrange for mum-of-two Brenda to meet the Take That singer Gary Barlow.

Caroline hoped the meeting would help her mum smile again as she faced the fight of her life.

But Brenda died days later on November 7 at her home in Moore.

“Everything is a constant reminder of her,” said Caroline.

“I feel lost without her. I don’t know what to do with myself.

“There is now a massive hole in my heart.

“She was a caring mother and always put people before herself.”

Her husband Peter, who married Brenda in 2003 after many years together, added: “There are no words to describe the love that Bren and I felt for each other but I have to try.

“Bren was more than half of me and showed me how to enjoy life with a passion and zest I have never known.

“I have been privileged to have shared my life with someone so remarkable and I will give thanks for ever even though our time was much shorter than it should have been.

“I only hope I have been able to repay some part of what she gave to me.”