A HOSPITAL nurse "who was never frightened" while fighting cancer has been remembered by her grieving mother following her death.
Jo Garwood lost her daughter Teresa Chandler to cancer back in June after a long battle.
The 54-year-old worked as a children’s nurse at Colchester Hospital for most of her career.
Teresa was receiving treatment from St Helena Hospice as she required a wheelchair and oxygen support.
Prior to Teresa’s death, Ipswich Town Football Club, Teresa’s favourite team, hosted a fundraiser to help her complete her bucket list.
During her final months, Teresa also planned out her entire funeral service herself, telling no one the exact details, not even her mother.
Jo said: “[Teresa] was escorted by a tractor. She was mad about Ipswich Town and called herself Tractor Teri.
“She bought a blue and white football [design] of flowers.
“The celebrant was dressed as a referee with a whistle. She had instructions that any Norwich supporters would be sent off.
“It was just so Teresa.”
Teresa had also selected some of her favourite songs including Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Castle on the Hill by Ed Sheeran.
To make people laugh, Teresa also included popular children’s song Baby Shark.
Towards the end of the ceremony, celebrant Clare Hales read out words written by Teresa inspired by a song by Passenger.
Teresa was cremated at Colchester Crematorium while her ashes will be scattered in Corfu on October 3.
Afterwards, the mourners went to Stanway Football Club where Teresa had also contributed to the day.
Jo said: “She paid for all the food and everything. She hoped it was a nice sunny day, hoped people would go out, play football and remember her.
“It went how she wanted from beginning to end
“Celebrant Clare Hales was brilliant and did everything Teresa had wanted.”
Jo also shared how the support of loved ones helped her through the otherwise tough day.
“I don’t know if I could have got through it the way I did without the genuine love and support of my friends," she added.
“I’ll remember the genuine, love, kindness and respect,
“It was the send-off she wanted and deserved.
“Her brothers both did their own tributes to her from the heart.
“I didn’t know until the night before that she’d done an interview for the hospice website about imminent death.
“It was so moving but so Teresa – she was never frightened. She never said, ‘why, me?’
"I’m going to miss her so much."
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