A FAMILY have paid tribute to their brave loved one who fulfilled her dream before dying.

Shirley Ann Webster- Green, 63, of Hazel Avenue, Shrub End, Colchester, lost a three-year battle with cancer, but not before she spent a month helping at a school in the Gambia.

Her devastated mother, June Green, said: “I have lost my two eldest. It is not fair. You should never have to bury your children.

“But she managed to get to the Gambia to see friends and help at a school. She achieved that at the end after all these years.”

Shirley, who was also known as Shirley Gainty, was mother to Nadine Mackay, Matt Cawley and Chris Gainty.

One of six children, she was born in Colchester and spent her life living in Monkwick, Greenstead and Shrub End.

She worked as a waitress, auxillary nurse and a hairdresser, but it was raising a familywhich she lovedmost of all.

A keen artist, she took courses at Greyfriars and also loved music and gardening.

Diagnosed with cancer three years ago, Shirley’s Islamic faith became a bigger part of her life and she never gave up on life.

Her sister, Marion Heard, said: “She was always determined and we spent a lot of time together growing up.

“Even at the end she was thinking of others.

“She said ‘tell mum not to worry and I love her’.

“And she wanted to go the Gambia and she did it.

“She had a great time, she got involved with a school and helped the children with painting and by reading to them.

“It meant a lot to her to do that.”

Another sister Janice Goulding added: “Right up to the end she would not talk about the cancer. She refused to give up and knew she was loved.”

Shirley’s daughter Nadine has her own special memories of a mum who loved to dance and loved her family.

She said: “She was nutty, very happy and always in the garden or dancing away, even if it was just pan pipes she would be dancing, bouncing up and down.”

Mrs Goulding revealed Shirley was a fan of Barry Manilow, r’n’b music and Take That, all of which will be on the shortlist to be played during her funeral service being held at 1.15pm, on April 28, in the chapel at the East Of England Co-operative Funeral Service, in Wimpole Road, Colchester.

All are welcome.