Family and friends to say final farewell to newly wed mum Jade Parker

Jade Caughey with her fiancé Lee Parker.

Her heartbroken husband Lee revealed the tragic news on Facebook that Jade passed away just two days after they got married on New Year’s Eve.

Jade had been battling a particularly aggressive type of cancer but fought hard throughout 2020 to cling to life, for the sake of her young boys, her stepson and her fiancé.

Just weeks ago she was given a terminal diagnosis and her final wish was to get married to the love of her life, Lee Parker.

The community of Portadown went into overdrive, with offers of help to the couple for suits, dresses, make up and hair - all to make their day extra special.

Jade managed to get out of hospital on Christmas Eve so she could spend it as a family with Lee, her stepson Kai (13) and sons Ben, aged six, and James, aged two.

Lee said: “We had a quiet ceremony in the house. She felt really ill on New Year’s Eve and she knew time was running out.

“We got organised in two hours and married at 6pm.

“She then fell asleep the same evening and never woke again.

“She slipped away in her sleep,” said Lee.

Writing on Facebook he revealed that the couple made the choice to bring their wedding forward.

“She knew in herself that her time was getting shorter. We got married at home surrounded by close friends and family in a very intimate ceremony.

“Jade passed away peacefully at home early on the 2nd of January with myself and Billy (Jade’s father) holding her hand. Our hearts are broken but at peace knowing Jade is no longer suffering,” wrote Lee, thanking everyone for their support.

Before Christmas, Jade was not just planning her wedding but also her funeral.

Lee said: “She has banned black from her funeral and she hates being the centre of attention,”

Jade’s struggle started in November 2019 with headaches and doctors said she had nasal polyps (growths in her nasal passage) and gave her antibiotics.

Later she was given an appointment with the ENT unit at Craigavon Hospital but the COVID-19 pandemic hit and all appointments were cancelled.

Lee explained that she began to get very bad headaches and the polyps started to grow, so much so that her eyes were bulging from her head.

After a CT scan in April last year, they diagnosed a tumour and Jade had an operation the following week.

“About five weeks later the tumour came back and after a second operation they removed as much as they could.

“She has had four blocks of chemotherapy, three times a week.

“At the end of her chemo she started radiotherapy in September. She had to be kept in hospital for seven weeks and couldn’t see the boys.

“She missed our six year old son’s birthday,” said Lee.

“She finished that treatment on November 15 but we had to go back to Craigavon Hospital when she started to get extreme pain in her legs and couldn’t move. She kept falling asleep so quickly.”

Lee said they were told on December 17 the cancer had spread and the diagnosis was terminal.

A GoFundMe page had been set up to help the couple with their wedding and funeral arrangements.

Donations came to £17,580 and the page has since closed.

Lee’s cousin Marianne Parker, who set up the page said: “On behalf of our family I would like to say a huge thank you to each and every kind person that donated. Everyone has went above and beyond to make the rest of their time together and wedding so so special and for that we are truly thankful.”

Tributes have flooded in since Jade died on January 2, including from her former work colleagues at the Card Factory in Portadown.

Jade had given up work to be a full time mum to her two boys, particularly Ben who has autism.

Lee said: “She dedicated herself to teaching him social skills. She has dedicated her life to the boys but that cancer has taken her away from them over the past year.”

Jade Amanda Parker, nee Caughey, the beloved and devoted wife of Lee, cherished mum of Ben and James, devoted step mum of Kai and loving daughter of Billy and the late Wendy, died at her home in Portadown on January 2.

Her home and the funeral are private due to the current circumstances.

Family and friends are welcome to pay their respects as the cortege leaves Milne’s Funeral Home today Friday, January 8, at 3pm.

Family flowers only please donations in lieu of flowers if desired for the benefit of The Friends of the Cancer Centre c/o Milne Funeral Services, 59 Seagoe Road, Portadown, BT63 5HS.

Mum dies holding campaigning daughter’s hand after COVID-19 battle Read full story here-

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