A DEVASTATED Greenock woman is finally getting her life back on track following the tragic loss of her husband, mum and mother-in-law in a year from hell.

Mum-of-two Aileen McHenery, from Duncan Street, had to cope with the death of her husband Stephen, better known as Stevie, from cancer at the age of just 56 in August last year.

Just three weeks later she was coming to terms with the loss of her mother-in-law and then she was mourning the death of her own mum, all in the space of eight months.

The 51-year-old says it has been a very difficult year but praised the help and support of family, friends, Stevie’s former work colleagues and particularly Ardgowan Hospice, where her husband was looked after for 21 days.

She said: “It’s been a hard year.

“Stevie was given six weeks to live but lasted for 12, which I believe is thanks to the hospice.

“The hospice were just fantastic and I want to raise awareness of it.

“They allowed him to live his life.

“Although it is heartbreaking, a year down the line I realise the memories they have left us with.

“I’m starting to live again a wee bit because I knew everything was done for him that could be done.” Stevie’s cancer started off in his bowel but quickly spread throughout his body including into his liver and lungs.

The first sign that something was wrong was when Stevie — a non-smoker all his life — suddenly lost his voice.

This prompted an appointment at the doctor’s and then came the devastating discovery that he had terminal cancer.

Aileen says the cancer ‘ravaged’ her husband but that the hospice allowed her to move in and staff did everything they could to allow them to savour every last moment together.

Stevie, who was an industrial painter and huge Celtic fan, was even allowed out to see his football friends when he was well enough.

He missed the birth of his granddaughter Ruby by three weeks but left a surprise for Aileen and others when it was revealed that he had chosen her name shortly before he passed away.

Aileen hopes Stevie’s story can encourage men to get checked out and to raise awareness of the work of the hospice.

She said: “He was a typical man, he never got himself checked.

“The cancer ravaged him but his will to live was incredible.

“Any man out there who has had a letter through to go for a test then just do it.

“It might not have done anything for Stevie but we will never know that.” His brave battle has already inspired people closest to him including former work colleagues — ‘brothers of the brush’ — at shipyards all over Scotland and fellow Celtic supporters.

Several fundraisers have been held since Stevie’s death last year, including an event at the Wig and Pen pub in Paisley on the first anniversary on Saturday 16 August.

Over £1,000 was collected at his funeral alone, when more than a thousand people turned out to pay their respects.

All proceeds have been donated to Ardgowan Hospice and in excess of £2,000 has been raised to date, with more events planned in the coming months.

The ‘brothers of the brush’ have also been financially supporting Aileen, handing over ‘a wage’ to her before and after her husband’s death.

She said: “I didn’t think I adequately got to thank everyone.

“What they did for Stevie and me — and what they are continuing to do — is amazing.”