A dad, who was described as a man "loved by everyone", tragically died just weeks after his partner was given a devastating diagnosis.
Mally Grant, 56, died after suffering from a heart attack at his home on March 12.
His fiance and partner of 12 years, Melanie Fallon, said that his death was "totally unexpected" and came after he awoke in the middle of the night.
Melanie, 55 of St Helens, said: "He'd been to work on Friday, done his job, come home, went on his PlayStation and had chili con carne with rice for tea. It was totally unexpected."
Melanie said that Mally went upstairs to watch TV at approximately 11pm that evening and she followed soon after. The couple watched TV together before going to sleep, Liverpool Echo reports.
Melanie said that Mally woke up in the middle of the night complaining of chest pain and sadly died at around 5.40am that morning.
She said: "I'm struggling because he was my absolute rock. My everything. I'm going through cancer at the moment. He was my rock financially, emotionally, looking after me afterwards - it's just all gone."
Melanie was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, also known as uterine cancer, on February 1 after attending a routine doctor's appointment.
She must now undergo surgery at Liverpool Women's Hospital including a full hysterectomy and the removal of lymph nodes, which have become enlarged.
She said: "I didn't think it would come back as cancer. You see it on TV about breast cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, but no one really hears of uterine cancer"
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Mally's funeral and support Melanie and the family at this time.
Paying tribute to Mally, Melanie said: "He was loved by everyone. He was the most helpful person - if you wanted help Mally was the first one there. We've been together nearly 12 years, we met online. He'd do anything for me.
Mally was described as a keen biker and fisher and previously worked as a taxi driver in St Helens.
Melanie added: "He was brought up in St Helens and everyone knew him around St Helens. You couldn't go anywhere without someone talking to him."
A message on the fundraising page reads: "We are raising funds for Mally's partner Melanie, and his family, to help with the funeral and other unexpected costs at this tragic time.
As many of you know, Mally lived with his partner Melanie, who begins her treatment for cancer in the next few weeks. The devastating loss of Mally has had a significant impact on her and his family. We hope to reduce some of their stress by helping with funeral costs and other unexpected financial burdens."
If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe page click here.
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