BRAVE and adored wife, mum and grandmother, Glenda Graham has died, aged 57, after a 15-year battle with cancer.

Friends and family say she fought the disease with more dignity and courage than they ever thought possible.

Glenda, from Carlisle, whose determined spirit didn’t allow cancer to stand in the way of her fundraising challenges, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, in Eden Valley Hospice - a place where she wanted to be and felt safe.

Friends have paid tribute to Glenda, who was described by husband, Mark, as having a “sparkling sense of humour and a deep love of her family”, on the Final Journey site.

Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, Glenda’s funeral is private, but those who knew the much-loved mum and friend of many, can light a candle, leave a memory, add a photo or donate to Eden Valley Hospice in her memory on the Final Journey site

Glenda’s family say they hope they will be able to hold a memorial service at a later date.

“Glenda has left money to Eden Valley Hospice. She loved going there every Tuesday at the day centre,” saidMark. “Everyone at the hospice were fantastic. I cannot praise them enough.”

Glenda said just being at the weekly sessions had given her something different to focus on and helped her deal with her diagnosis, and was quoted as saying it was a “fabulous place”.

Last year, inspired by the need to raise cash for Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, Glenda took part in the popular Carlisle Colour Run, which saw her walking and running through a rainbow spray of paint and bubbles with Mark and grandson Archie to raise £1,658 .

The money raised by Glenda and all the fundraisers helped the Carlisle-based charity to provide the highest standards of care, support and activities to children and adults with life-limiting illnesses.

At the time of the run, Glenda said she loved to keep busy for her “physical and mental wellbeing”.

Fifteen years ago Glenda discovered she had lung cancer, and then in 2010 a deep-set tumour was discovered in her breast after she went to her doctor with pins and needles.

Following a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Glenda believed she was clear of the disease.

But four years later cancer was discovered again on the same side and she had a mastectomy, only for tumours to return in 2015 in her other breast.

“I was shocked. Unfortunately, tumours were later discovered in my lymph nodes and then I found out it had spread to my brain,” Glenda said at the time.

Glenda, who worked part-time in the conveyancing department of Burnetts law firm in Carlisle, had been a member of the Carlisle Breast Care Support Group.

“Glenda loved the group, and I also want to say a great big thank you to Burnetts, who had been tremendous in their support of Glenda for 15 years,” said Mark.

Still thinking of others Glenda, together with friends from the Carlisle Breast Care Support Group, last year took part in a sponsored bag pack at Tesco to help the Cumberland Infirmary buy new equipment which meant breast cancer patients didn’t need to have a guide wire inserted on the day of surgery.

Close friend and fellow member of the Carlisle Breast Care Support Group, Sandra Telford, said Glenda’s wish was to have a big funeral, but said obviously this couldn’t happen because of coronavirus.

“But we will celebrate her life in our own way, and she will never be forgotten by us all,” said Sandra. “

“Glenda was a valuable member of the group, and was latterly a co-chair, and we will always remember her enthusiasm for helping others and her sense of humour. She was loved by us all.”