Cancer bride dies just 90 minutes after death-bed wedding

Elaine Stephenson, 48, a former nurse, married her partner of 11 years Chris Johnson, 50, in a bedside ceremony.

Tragically she died just an hour and a half later with Mr Johnson and her son Ashley, 17, at her side.

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Miss Stephenson, who had twice beaten ovarian cancer, had told Chris of her dying wish to marry.

So, around 20 friends and relatives attended the ceremony at Bury Hospice, Greater Manchester, which was brought forward to Saturday after Elaine's condition suddenly deteriorated.

Mr Johnson had left the hospice to buy Elaine a wedding ring when he received a phone call asking him to return.

He said: "I did not get a chance to get her the ring she wanted. I got a ring from home but she will now keep it on her finger.

"It was very emotional but I was very pleased to marry the woman I love. It was also her wish."

Miss Stephenson was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2002. But after treatment, the disease returned in 2004 and again last year.

The couple had originally planned to marry on Elaine's birthday this August but arrangements had to be brought forward after she health became dramatically worse.

Mr Johnson, of Walshaw, Bury, said: "We were going to have it in a day room at first with a buffet. She wanted a white gold band as a ring.

"I left the hospital to buy the ring at around 11am and the phone went when I got home. The hospice said she was deteriorating.

"People just dropped everything."

Friends managed to get flowers from a florist and a bouquet for Elaine to hold. The couple had obtained a special licence and the service was conducted by Bury's superintendent registrar Graeme Ramsden.

Mr Johnson said: "Everyone was glad they were there. I said all the words and Elaine nodded and shook her head. She passed away about an hour-and-a-half later.

"Elaine was very positive up to the end and fought the disease a lot. She was a very fun loving person, the life and soul of the party.

"That is what I will remember."

Chris thanked staff and nurses at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, where Miss Johnson had been treated, and Bury Hospice.

"I cannot thank them enough," he added.

Elaine's funeral service is will be held next Tuesday at St Anne's Church, Tottington, at noon.