“I brought my daughter into this world—and I was there to hold her hand as she left it.”
In Deborah’s final moments, as I clasped her hand, a bittersweet wave of sorrow and relief washed over me. My vibrant, courageous daughter, who fought a valiant battle against bowel cancer, was finally free from pain.
Though I am a mother of three, losing Deborah—who passed away at 40 after a relentless five-and-a-half-year fight—has been an unimaginable heartbreak, especially for her children, Hugo, 16, and Eloise, 14. Diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer at just 35, Deborah channeled her strength into her Bowelbabe blog, becoming a powerful voice for cancer awareness and hope.
Her legacy—defined by her unyielding spirit and zest for life—continues to inspire us every day. As we honor her memory and face this profound grief, we hold onto the lessons she shared: to cherish every moment and live with passion, just as she did.