A DEVASTATED husband has paid tribute to his wife and 'soulmate' after marrying her just four weeks before she died from bowel cancer.
Malcolm Bell, from Great Sankey, described his wife Emma-Louise as 'beautiful inside and out' as he described how his family have been left distraught at losing her.
The pair met on a blind date in Starbucks at Gemini Retail Park six years ago.
He said: "We hit it off straight away and have been inseparable since."
Sadly, Emma was diagnosed with bowel cancer three years ago aged 47 after visiting her GP with abdominal pain.
By the time Emma had been seen at Clatterbridge, the scan revealed the cancer had already spread to her lungs.
Malcolm said: "She really went through a tough time with treatment after treatment.
"We loved each other so much, I'm heartbroken."
Despite her gruelling treatment, Emma was determined to marry Malcolm, her partner of six years.
She used all of her strength to walk down the aisle and the couple wed at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool on January 22.
She chose the hotel since it was the place her nan took her for afternoon teas when Emma was young.
Malcolm and Emma
Malcolm said: "Emma was very ill for the wedding but the strength and courage she showed to get up and walk down the aisle was remarkable.
"I am a very lucky man, she was my soulmate."
Instead of wedding gifts the couple asked for donations to The Christie and Bowel Cancer UK, raising more than £2,000 between the two.
Emma worked as an air hostess for 20 years with Monarch before getting a job at Asda Cockhedge.
Emma
She was promoted to a managerial position within six weeks of working there but was sadly diagnosed with cancer three months later.
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Malcolm said: "The Christie were absolutely fantastic, they kept her alive for three years.
"Emma had a heart of gold, she was beautiful inside and out and she has left a massive hole in our family – we are devastated."
Emma spent her final weeks at St Rocco's Hospice where Malcolm said she was received 'fantastic treatment from wonderful people'.
She died aged 50 on February 28.
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Five hundred people attended Emma's funeral at St Elphin's Church last Wednesday, and Malcolm said this high turnout was a result of the impact his wife had on so many people.
Donations at the funeral exceeded £2,000 and this money will be given to St Rocco's.
Malcolm and Emma also raised £1,000 at a masonic ladies evening and shared the proceeds between The Christie, Maggie’s Centre and Myeloma UK.
Malcolm added: "I cannot thank The Christie and St Rocco's enough for the love and care they showed Emma.
"If anyone has any loose change, I would encourage them to give it to these wonderful places who help so many."
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