Thousands of pounds raised in memory of a much-loved Inverclyde mum, wife and sister

Anne Hendry lost her brave battle with cancer recently, aged just 54.

Her grateful family have raised over £5,000 to help Ardgowan Hospice to thank them for the wonderful care she received during her illness.

Her sister Mary Ross said she is still in shock at losing her best friend.

She said: "I can't sleep at night and I'm not eating. I'm just going through the motions."

Anne was originally an east end girl, brought up in Lauriston Street and later Barnhill Street by parents William and Agnes Brogan.

She was a pupil at St Lawrence's and Notre Dame.

The sisters also had a brother James, who tragically died when he was only 16 in 1986.

As teenagers Anne and Mary used to work at Silvio's Chip Shop in Kilmacolm Road and Anne had various pub jobs over the years, as well as being a well-kent face in Marks and Spencer in Greenock for 21 years.

She met partner Ted Bleasdale and was thrilled when their son Symon, now 29, was born.

They lived in Hay Street and Lynedoch Street but sadly the relationship didn't last and she moved in with her mum in Gourock.

Anne's life was to change forever when she agreed to go out on a date with a gentleman called Ian Hendry.

Mary said: "She met Ian 16 years ago and they got married eight years ago.

"They were soulmates. Ian had fancied her from afar from way back but he was too frightened to ask her out.

"Eventually he plucked up the courage and she said yes. He was a lovely guy. He just adored her."

The couple lived in Cardwell Road in Gourock and were often seen out pounding the streets of Gourock at night to keep fit.

Anne was also over the moon when her granddaughter Freya, now four, was born on the anniversary of her brother's passing and Symon, made her middle names James.

But a year after turning 50, she began to feel ill and suffered bleeding but doctors put the symptoms down to the menopause and she was prescribed medication.

The symptoms persisted and she was rushed into hospital, firstly for a partial, them full hysterectomy in the summer.

It was then she was hit with the bombshell that a tumour had been found under her uterus.

She recovered following treatment, but the cancer had spread to her arm and in January she was rushed back to hospital.

Anne was given blood tests and an MRI scan.

Mary said: "The doctor told her that he didn't know how her arm was still there. The cancer had eaten through the bone and she had a metal rod inserted."

This was followed by a series of gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.

She lost all her hair and gained three stones due to the steroids, but her family say she bore all the treatment, pain and discomfort with dignity.

Mary said: "She always had a smile for everyone."

Anne's condition worsened in December when the cancer attacked the bottom of her spine but bravely battled on with the support of her beloved family and Ardgowan Hospice.

Anne was transferred to the hospice on October 1 but butt her condition quickly deteriorated and she was told that the cancer had spread to her chest.

Mary said: "We cried and we cried. Anne said 'I don't want to leave you all'."

She she slipped away a few days later, surrounded by her loving family.

Around 500 people gathered to pay their respects at St Mary's Church recently and Mary says this is a testament to how well loved her sister was.

Mary said: "People came from far and wide.

"She kept saying that this was going to be her best Christmas ever because I think she knew it would be her last - it's just a shame she never had the chance to enjoy it.

"She was a fighter, I don't know where she got the strength from. She was our rock."

If anyone would like to support Symon's fundraising campaign they should visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/annehendry