A family in County Durham has been heartbroken after a dedicated mother and grandmother lost their courageous battle with cancer.
Michelle Cook of Peterlee tragically passed away at the age of 49 on Sunday, surrounded by her loved ones.
The mother of six learned in February 2021 that she had inoperable lung cancer after previously battling breast cancer that “nearly killed her” in 2015.
Michelle was originally thought to have another year and a half to live, but her condition quickly deteriorated with treatment and the family learned over a week ago that she was only left with a few days to live.
Sadly Michelle, who is mom to Carter, 20, Daniel, 22, Ben, 24, Poppy 25, Megan, 26, Aisha, 29, died on Sunday at St Benedict’s hospice in Sunderland surrounded by her family.
Describing her mother, Carter previously said, “She’s the kind of person who would do anything for anyone. She goes above and beyond for all of us, she’s a bit of a hippie! She’s always been a hippie! human person.
“She was an amazing mom to all of us, she took care of us while my dad worked outside. She had to take care of the six of us. His family is his life, that’s all that really matters.
A fundraising page has been set up by Michelle’s brother Gerard to help raise money for funeral expenses with over £ 3,000 raised in less than two weeks.
In an update on the page, Gerard said Michelle was the most “inspiring and beautiful woman to walk on this earth.”
He said: “My most beautiful sister Michelle won her angel wings, the most inspiring and beautiful women to walk on this earth. She had a smile until the end and we love you all now. and forever.
“You touched the hearts of so many people and you will be remembered forever. Good night sis RIP, go fly with the angels.
“A huge thank you to everyone who gave and shared kind words, it means the world. On behalf of myself, Michelle, John and the whole family, we appreciate all of your generosity and kindness, you are all amazing people.
Michelle had previously beaten breast cancer while studying to be a social worker, which was her dream job after finding a lump on her breast in 2015.
She went to a walk-in center for a check-up where she was told she was too young to have breast cancer, but six months later the family doctor told her she had breast cancer that had been allowed to develop for months.
But the determined mom was successful in battling cancer and was allowed to finish her college course while undergoing chemotherapy.
Carter previously said, “It almost killed her the first time around, but she actually finished college while doing chemotherapy.
“But since she must have spent so much time recuperating by the time she went to look for a job, her license was exhausted and she was told she had to take a course that cost thousands of pounds and she couldn’t. not afford it.
“She raised us all her life and then wanted to help people by becoming a social worker, so she went to college when we were all older. It was something she wanted to do.”
But the inspiring mom didn’t let that stop her and she became a nursing aide in a retirement home to save money to get her license and resume the course.
Despite the tough times, Michelle became a grandmother for the fourth time when her daughter Poppy gave birth to Destiny.
If you would like to donate for funeral expenses, you can do so here.