Tracy Parker, left, and Kathy Moore who died of cancer in 2001. Ref: 77005-03A LIFELONG friend has paid tribute to devoted mum Kathy Moore. Kathy, 45 of Middleaze, died this week after a short fight with cancer.

Her best friend of 20 years Tracy Parker, said that the mum-of-two was like a member of her own family.

"She was a devoted mum who had a great personality," she said.

"She would do anything for anybody. She was also a huge fan of Elvis.

"When she was first told she had terminal cancer, some of us thought she would go to pieces, but she was strong for everybody.

"Now we are all numbed and dazed by her loss. Everything is a blur at the moment."

In December last year Kathy a part-time receptionist at a chiropractic clinic in Shaw was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

She underwent an operation to treat it in February.

However, three weeks ago it was discovered that the cancer had spread to her bone marrow and had also formed a tumour in her eye.

On Monday she was transferred to the Prospect Hospice in Wroughton where she died later that day with her husband Duncan, 18-year-old son Shane and daughter Kimberley, 20, by her bedside.

Tracy and several friends were also present.

According to Tracy, the Moore family is in shock, particularly because of the speed at which the disease took her.

They are too upset to talk about their loss.

"It was just so quick, from being told the cancer had moved on to it taking her life was just so fast," said Tracy.

"She was a great mum and a fantastic friend, an absolutely brilliant person. She was like a second mum to my two daughters, she felt like one of the family." Tracy said Kathy was popular and more than 100 people are expected to turn up to the funeral at the Kingsdown Cremator- ium at noon on Monday, April 25.

Kathy's last wishes state that there should be no mourning and that no black is to be worn to the service.

The death of her friend has thrown Tracy's plans into disarray.

Next week she had been planning to go on holiday, with partner Ken McNeil, but has now called a halt to the holiday to Lanzarote to help out with the funeral arrangements.

She is offering to sell the holiday with money going to charities, including the Wroughton hospice and Cancer Research UK.

The holiday is for one week in a private villa in the resort of Puerto del Carmen.

If you are interested in buying the break call Tracy on 01793 634833.