Heartbreak as newlywed dies days after marrying at New Cross Hospital
A heartbroken husband has paid tribute to his wife after she died of cancer just days after they married in hospital.
Julie Elsmore, aged 48, tied the knot with her partner of six years Tim in a moving ceremony held at New Cross Hospital last week after he had proposed to her in the hospital’s A&E department.
Tim, 51, fought through the tears to describe the devastating loss after his wife of three days died following a three month battle with cancer.
Tim, a lorry driver, said: “Julie passed away on Saturday night in hospital.
“Everywhere I turn there are reminders of her. To be taken away at 48 is just so cruel.
"She had a permanent smile and would do anything for anybody.
“I will always remember her smile and the kindness she had for people – she was always happy.
“She never thought ill of anybody and would never say a bad word about anybody.
“What she always used to say was that she was so happy every day was like Christmas Eve to her.
"The six years we had together were amazing, we did so much together – holidays and long weekends.
"I’m just so glad we got married as we could have run out of time. But it is just totally heartbreaking.”
The office manager was diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier this year but the cancer spread to her lungs and doctors said her condition was terminal.
Doctors had told Julie she had just weeks to live and the couple decided to marry on Wednesday.
The newlyweds returned home to Hednesford on Thursday.
But Julie was transferred back to hospital after having trouble with her breathing on Saturday – and died that evening.
The couple had known each other since childhood as they grew up on the same road.
Julie was due to celebrate her 49th birthday tomorrow.
Tim said the couple had enjoyed trips abroad – which were Julie’s first ventures onto foreign soil.
They had spent time on holiday in Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Tenerife and Portugal.
But a planned trip to Hawaii and the USA this year had to be cancelled. The two has also been looking to buy a house.
Her death came as a shock to Tim and her family, who were told she still had weeks to live when she got married.
Julie’s parents Geoff and Pat Rowley said: “She was a wonderful daughter to us and sister to her brother Michael.
"We were very proud to be her parents.
"We would like to thank all the nurses for looking after Julie and as parents would like to thank everyone for their kind messages of sympathy and for telling us what a lovely daughter we had.”
