Marianne Ellks

Much loved daughter, sister, adored auntie and great auntie. Family meant everything to her. She was full of laughter, loving and giving. Marianne was my sister but was one of three. She was the glamourous and beautiful one. She loved to spend time with the kids always laughing and joking with them. She leaves us with a big hole but we will carry her love and memories forever.

She was cruelly taken from us late last year after being diagnosed with advanced Pancreatic Cancer only 4 months before she eventually passed away. She struggled to be taken seriously when she first started exhibiting symptoms of this awful illness. By the time she was diagnosed, she was already at stage 4. She chose to live life for a long as she could rather than going through debilitating treatment. She fought bravely for 4 months in order that she could spend quality time with her family and attend the wedding of her niece, which she was able to do only a few days from her eventual passing.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult forms of cancer to diagnose. It is hard to spot in its early stages due to the lack of obvious symptoms and its location deep in the abdomen.

I would like to support Pancreatic Cancer UK in Marianne's memory in order to help in a small way with funding for further research, to help with earlier screening and support for those living with pancreatic cancer.