A woman has been left devastated after her mum died of cancer - just months after her dad passed away on a family holiday.
Gemma Pana's mum, Sandra Navin, was told by doctors that she had terminal cancer in March last year, leaving her husband Graham and their four children heartbroken.
In September, Graham and daughter Kelly organised a getaway to Spain, so the family could enjoy one final vacation together before Sandra was no longer able to travel, Manchester Evening News reports.
But the holiday took a tragic turn when Graham was found unresponsive after going for a nap in the family's apartment, and was pronounced dead by paramedics. It is believed he suffered from a fatal heart attack.
Gemma and her siblings tried to remain strong for their mum, but were dealt another heartbreaking blow last week when Sandra passed away from her cancer, which had spread to her blood.
Speaking of tragedy, Gemma, from Salford, said she is proud of how her family have supported each other through the heartache and urged other family's to appreciate they time they have together.
"They were great parents," Gemma said. "They lived in Bacup in Lancashire but I moved to Salford with my husband and kids. Even so, I visited them every weekend.
"My mum was diagnosed with cancer last March. It started with endometrial cancer but then it spread to her bones and lymph nodes. She had chemotherapy but then it spread to her blood and the treatment wasn't working anymore.
"She was only 58 when she was diagnosed. She'd never had any health issues before this. She never smoked a cigarette in her life and didn't drink either."
Following the news of her mum's diagnosis, Gemma said her dad Graham, who was 10 years older, struggled to come to terms with the idea of her partner passing away before him.
"We told him to stay positive but his heart was just broken," she said. "He never had any health issues apart from diabetes."
In September last year, Gemma's sister Kelly, and her partner, travelled to Salou in Spain with Sandra and Graham, so they could enjoy a final trip abroad as a family.
"On September 5 my dad went for a nap and he just didn't wake up," Gemma said. "My sister called me at 9pm to tell me something had happened. I just assumed it was my mum.
"When she said it was my dad it was a massive shock. I stood up and fell to the floor. I just remember feeling a big pain in my heart.
"Myself and my brother flew out the next morning. My mum was being so strong. When we got to Spain we had a bit of a cry but she said we had to keep our heads up. We had to keep going for our mum's sake."
Sadly, Sandra's condition continued to worsen, and she passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on Good Friday (April 7).
Despite her health battle, she was able to make some incredible memories with her children and grandchildren in her final few months, and even got to tick off her bucket-list wish of riding in a helicopter.
"My sister took my mum to Wales in a campervan and I booked a room at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester and we just pigged out," Gemma said. "I also took her on a helicopter at Barton as she'd always wanted to go on one.
"As sad as it is, she is with my dad now and she isn't in anymore pain. I am grateful that we got the last 12 months because we got to do so much with her.
"I just want people to remember you only get one set of parents in life and you have to appreciate everything they have done and give it back when you can.
"As a family I am so proud of how strong everyone has been. It shows if you stick together you really can get through anything."
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