THE loved ones of a young woman who died after a five year cancer battle have said a sad goodbye to her in an emotional final farewell.

The friends and family of Monique-Lianne Buckingham lined East Hill, in Colchester, to say goodbye to the 26-year-old who died last month.

The former St Benedict’s College pupil was taken to St James the Less and St Helen Catholic Church by a horse drawn carriage during a moving funeral procession through the city centre yesterday.

Those in attendance added a touch of pink to their outfits as brave Monique had wished before her death on November 3.

Gazette: Moving - the cortege moves through Colchester High StreetMoving - the cortege moves through Colchester High Street (Image: Ben Heather)

Her father, Paul, of Elmstead Road, Colchester, told the Gazette the family’s lives “will never be the same again”.

Monique, an ex-St Thomas Mores pupil, endured 92 rounds of chemotherapy after receiving her diagnosis in 2017.

The courageous young woman received the devastating news her cancer had caused a bowel obstruction in late 2021 and she was given a terminal diagnosis.

Monique’s mother, Anne, 62, said: “We believed in our hearts that she would get through it, that she would come home.”

  • Monique is taken through Priory Street as her loved ones await her arrival at the church.

The popular young woman blogged her cancer journey in a bid to inspire hope into others treading a similar path.

She shared milestone moments and images of her reality with the 54,000 followers she racked up, all of whom were invited by the family to say goodbye.

Anne continued: “She was a force of nature who absolutely loved getting out and about with our dogs.

“Monique was always happy to lend an ear even if she felt really bad.

Gazette: Family - Paul and Anne Buckingham with Monique and brother, ChristianFamily - Paul and Anne Buckingham with Monique and brother, Christian (Image: @thelifeofmique)

“She was generous, very loving and family orientated.

“She had dreamt of visiting Gibraltar and wanted to go to Rome.”

Paul, 62, said all their daughter wanted to do was come home and cuddle up with her seven dogs.

He added: “Monique had a beautiful smile. We are so proud of her bravery.

Gazette: Dog lover - Monique loved spending time with her dogsDog lover - Monique loved spending time with her dogs (Image: @thelifeofmique)

“She never moaned, no matter how much pain she was going through.

“Monique was loyal, she was loving.

“She had a real sense of life, she just loved life.

“Live will never be the same again.”