THE husband of 31-year-old Gemma Kerswell, the Saltash woman whose brave battle against cancer came to an end at St Luke's Hospice on Friday, has asked people to remember her by looking at their own lives in a more positive way.

David Kerswell said: 'She was a beautiful, brave, courageous and inspirational lady, one of Cornwall's best.

'I would like to think that there will be people who, when they are feeling down, will think of Gemma and what she went through, but she still managed to smile and remain positive. Hopefully they will then do the same.

'There is always someone worse off than yourself. Gemma lived every day as if it was her last.'

Gemma, who was first diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2008, touched the hearts of many during her four-year fight, especially after she was told in January 2011 she might only have six months to live. She embarked on a new trial drug that April, and continued fundraising for St Luke's Hospice.

She raised £1,500 for last year's Midnight Walk with the help of Team Kerswell, a group of friends and family who got together to support Gemma and Dave through the ordeal.

The devoted couple carried on life as normally as they could, and enjoyed holidays together, deciding they would not let the cancer rule their lives.

This included a family trip to Florida in January so Gemma could fulfil her wish of swimming with dolphins. Unfortunately she became ill and had to be hospitalised in the USA, and it was Team Kerswell who went fundraising and took away the stress of the medical bills.

The surplus money went to the charity Cancer Funding for Cornwall.

Gemma and Dave were married in August 2010 and their second wedding anniversary on August 6, although spent in St Luke's, was made very special and memorable.

Dave's parents, Joanne and Dennis, and his brother Mark, approached Tanners' Restaurant in Plymouth where the couple liked to eat out, and asked celebrity chefs, Chris and James Tanner, if they would mind cooking a meal which they could take from the restaurant to St Luke's. They were over the moon when the brothers not only agreed, but cooked a candlelit dinner for two at the hospice.

They took over the kitchen and produced a three-course meal with champagne and wine, gave the couple an anniversary card, and a signed souvenir menu.

'It was fantastic, they are truly amazing guys,' said Dave. 'They made our last wedding anniversary the best memory I could have of Gemma. She looked so beautiful and she said she didn't want it to end. I will always look back on that day with a smile.'

Gemma's mum Linda Ellis, of Hatt, paid tribute to Gemma, who she said kept everyone going throughout her illness with her positive attitude, and also gave thanks to St Luke's Hospice.

'Everyone knows they do a wonderful job but it's not until you've been there that you realise exactly how much they do,' she said.

'I remarked to a staff member one day how I couldn't have done half of what they were doing for Gemma and was told that was what they were there for – so I could carry on being a mum.'

Dave added: 'They were like angels, they cared for Gemma with dignity and love and the last few weeks without their support would have been horrendous.'

Dave says there are so many people to thank for their caring, support and love throughout Gemma's illness, but it is Gemma he thanks the most.

'I am so proud of her and how she conducted herself. She kept us all going,' he said. 'She was a wonderful stepmum to my sons Benjamin (9) and Nathan (12). We all have the most precious, lovely memories of Gemma and she will never be forgotten.'

The funeral service takes place at Weston Mill, Plymouth, on Friday, August 31, at 3pm.