THE family of a Greenock mum who died after a cancer battle will mark their first Christmas without her by supporting Ardgowan Hospice's 'Light Up a Life' appeal.

Jen Shaw, 30, a devoted mother to three-year-old Poppy and loving wife to her husband Andrew, 31, sadly passed away on March 20.

Her family say Ardgowan provided incredible support to Jen when she needed it most.

Now in a moving tribute to Jen, her loved ones want other families to join them in supporting the hospice's annual festive appeal.

Andrew said: "Jen's favourite thing was stars - she would sit at night and look up at the stars.

"Jen had a star blanket with her in the hospice and her favourite song was 'You're a Superstar'.

"Someone actually bought us a star as a wedding gift and Poppy looks for her star every night and says 'that's mummy's star'.

Jen's family say the care and compassion Jen received while in the hospice was exceptional.

Her mum Janet Stewart said: "We are showing our appreciation for the work that the place did in supporting Jen and all of us.

"It's about raising awareness of the service and how it needs funding as it doesn't get government funding.

"The hospice is a family unit with the expertise thrown in.

"It was the one place that Jen didn't want to end up in, she was very apprehensive about going in.

"But within two days she said, 'I'm going to stay here'."

Jen's sister Lorna added: "Within two days in the hospice Jen said she was quite happy to stay.

"It was the first time we had seen her looking so comfortable in weeks."

Andrew added: "Ardgowan Hospice’s support was brilliant for all the family.

"We were always welcome and the staff supported all of us.

"They provided comprehensive care to Jennifer, looking after her every need as well as supporting all of the immediate family.

“The 'Light Up a Life' appeal is a great way to raise funds for the hospice."

As the family face their first Christmas without Jen, they say that supporting the hospice appeal brings them a great deal of comfort.

Janet said: "We know that we are not alone and that other people are going through the same thing."

Although the family admit it will be an emotional time, they are determined to make Christmas very special especially for the children.

Janet said: "We're going to see Santa at Finlaystone as we did that last year and we are going to take the kids to the Watchnight Service in Greenock on Christmas eve and then we're going to have a movie night at Lorna's so that none of us are on our own.

"It will be emotional but it's nice that we're all together."

Andrew said: "Part of you is dreading it but part of you is excited for the kids.

"It's a weird mix of emotions, it's good and bad."

The family say the support they have received from the community has also been incredible.

Janet said: "The community have been amazing.

"Total strangers come up and say they saw the stories in the Tele and before you know it you're discussing your life history and they are discussing theirs.

"A friend of Andrew's mum hand drew a portrait of Jen which is absolutely stunning, it's so life-like.

"And when the story appeared in the paper that Jen was terminally ill, someone gave her an envelope with two £50 notes inside.

"We still to this day have no idea who that was."

The 'Light Up a Life' appeal is an opportunity for family and friends to dedicate a light on a tree in memory of a loved one.

The tree will be illuminated at a special service on Sunday December 9 at 6.30pm at Westburn Church.

Donations can be made online at www.ardgowanhospice.org.uk/appeals/lual or by calling 726830 and forms are also available from the hospice reception.