Tributes have been paid to a well-known Co Fermanagh woman who fought her battle with cancer ‘dignity and courage’.
Tanya Dunne from Belleek passed away on Wednesday aged 42, having fought a courageous battle against bowel cancer.
A fundraising campaign for Tanya to receive treatment in Mexico raised more than £100,000 since it was set up last October.
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Close friend Jemma McGowan, who is battling terminal cancer herself, paid tribute to Tanya and said the pair had been able to endure difficult periods with each other's help.
"The whole Bundoran and Belleek community is shocked and saddened about the loss of our beautiful friend," Jemma told Belfast Live.
"I cannot imagine the pain her husband and family are feeling right now as I only know myself the pain I am physically feeling. My heart is truly breaking and I have never felt anything quite like this.
"She was a part of our family and when she came in to our home it just felt like she part of the furniture as they say. I have no words to describe how much she will be missed in our home by Clive and I but also our children.
"Tanya was always smiling and always so cheerful and positive. She was always up for fun and a laugh.
"Tanya was a colourful bright genuinely happy lady who loved life. She was an amazing friend and anyone who was blessed enough to have her in their lives will tell you the same thing. Her heart was pure gold."
A keen GAA player, Tanya was remembered by her home club Erne Gaels as the ‘loveliest bubbly girl’.
“We are heartbroken, devastated & saddened to hear about the sad passing of Tanya Dunne, Nee O Shea early this morning,” the club said in a social media post.
“Tanya was a senior ladies player for the club as well as a fantastic supporter over the years. She fought her battle with dignity & courage over the last two years.
“Tanya played for a few GAA clubs over the years and returned to play ladies football here at Erne Gaels before her diagnosis. Her courageous battle is finally over and is reunited with her Daddy again.
“No amount of words will be enough to speak about Tanya, whenever anything needed to be done or help needed Tanya was the first to offer help.
“She was the loveliest, bubbly girl and always had a smile on her face whenever you seen her.”
Tanya’s funeral is due to take place on Friday, with the cortege travelling from her family home in Belleek to the funeral mass in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Bundoran at 12 noon.
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