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08th Aug 2017

Irish mum with terminal cancer tells of heartbreak after losing husband

Ed sadly passed away on Friday

Keeley Ryan

“He really was one of a kind”

An Irish mum dying of cancer has told of her heartbreak after losing her “one in a million husband”.

Dad-of-three Ed Stewart, 42, was diagnosed with cancer just weeks after his wife Karen receiving the devastating news she had a terminal diagnosis.

The couple previously told how they had been trying to enjoy their remaining time with their children.

Tragically, Ed passed away peacefully on Friday.

Karen admitted she found Ed’s passing to be a shock as she paid tribute to the “one of a kind” dad, who was still looking after the family until his final hours.

She told the Irish Daily Star:

“It was very quick. We were shocked that it was so quick.

“He was one in a million. He was so good to me. I wouldn’t ever have to lift a finger. He wouldn’t stop, even to the last day he was still looking after me and the kids.

“So he was a great father, he practically reared the baby because I was in hospital.

“We’ve been through so much together and he stuck with me.

“He was just great, I don’t have a bad thing to say about him. Everyone loved him.

“He really was one of a kind. I’d never get another one like him and I know I wouldn’t.”

Karen, 36,  was also diagnosed with cancer when she was just 20 years of age and, in January, received the heartbreaking news that the disease is now incurable.

Ed was told just a few short months later that he had terminal pancreatic cancer.

The couple have three kids together – Keeva, Finn and Erin.

Ed sadly passed away just one day before he was meant to meet Liverpool FC stars who were in Dublin to play Athletic Club at the Aviva Stadium.

Brave Karen went along on Saturday to meet some of Ed’s heroes with their young son Finn, because she felt that is what he would have wanted them to do.

She explained:

“Ed died on Friday and then I got a phone call that it was arranged for him to meet the players.

“It was still very raw but I went for Ed. We got to take the little fella and we told him his da sorted it out and the manager spend a few minutes with us.

“He signed a jersey in front of Finn and took a few photographs with us.

“I want to thank John Delaney for setting it up. They were very good. Ed didn’t get to do it. It was very sad.”

Featured image via GoFundMe.