Family’s tears for courageous Jenny

NEVER felt sorry for herself — cancer-sufferer Jenny Barnes who has died aged 60.

CANCER sufferer Jenny Barnes has died only three weeks after defying her condition to wed the man she described as her tower of strength.

The 60-year-old mother-of-four, who died on Tuesday, had married Jim Rudd (62) at Greenacres Congregational Church on October 4.

Guests, including nurses, had added a splash of pink to their outfit to mark a day of celebration which the former insurance clerk’s family had feared she would not live to see.

Jenny had been battling myeloma, a type of blood cancer, for 21/2 years, but family say she was optimistic throughout.

She was admitted to hospital at the end of August when she fell seriously ill from an infection. The family were told she did not have long to live, so a wedding was arranged.

Given away by her daughter, Jenny Smith (27), Jenny exchanged vows from a wheelchair, before guests made their way to the Austerlands Cricket Club for a reception at which they raised £300 for the Royal Oldham Hospital.

She returned home last Friday and spent her remaining days with her family looking at photographs of her big day.

Husband Jim, who also has three children, said: “Getting married meant everything to Jenny. She just wanted to have this wedding and to get home.

“She was incredibly positive and totally determined. She kept going so that she could do these things and she managed them both.

“I think that’s what she was holding on for, because she went downhill quite quickly after that.

“But Jenny never once complained. She was the most wonderful person I have ever met.”

Daughter Jenny said: “The wedding was wonderful and not morose in the slightest. It was very positive — a celebration which very much reflected mum’s character.

“Even when she was very ill, she never thought of herself. She was always trying to find out what she could do for other people.”

Jenny also brought up a number of foster children and volunteered with beaver groups.

Jim, of Spring Street, Greenacres, said: “We have nothing but praise for the doctors and nurses who looked after Jenny, especially Dr El-Hanash. They were marvellous.”

The funeral service will take place at Greenacres Congregational Church at 1.30pm on Monday.

The family have requested donations to ward T6 at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

People who attend are asked to wear something pink as a positive celebration of Jenny’s life.