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I first met Ruth in February 1980 as her agent for Prudential, and we became good friends. After her first marriage broke up in 1985 we started a serious relationship which led to us marrying on 9th Sept 1989. We shared many great times together, but as often happens our relationship went awry, and we divorced in 2001, but remained friends even after this.

Both of us started new relationships, but they both also fell apart, so that by mid 2012 we were both effectively single, but by keeping in touch re-kindled a flame that was obviously still burning. After a period when we continued to live in our own places, we took the plunge and Ruth moved back into what was our previous marital home in October 2013 to start a new life together.

We had enjoyed our time together so far, when in January Ruth was diagnosed with a form of cervical cancer. Having already beaten the Big C once, when breast cancer made an unwelcome visit, we were both determined that she would also see this one off. Initial chemotherapy treatment was positive, and by June she had made such good progress that we were able to go to the Isle of Man TT for a week on the bike, when she was feeling better than she had for a long time.

However, this positive progress was halted when the symptoms returned in July, and a course of radio therapy produced no improvement. Just after starting a new course of chemo, her illness progressively worsened, until she had to be admitted to hospital on Friday, 29th August, where, after tests, she was pronounced "Terminal" on Weds 3rd Sept. We made a last minute attempt to re-marry on that day, but the effects of the pain-killing drugs were enough for Ruth to be unable to respond properly to the Chaplain (to whom I owe huge thanks for his efforts) and we had to abandon the ceremony around midnight.

Ruth passed away, out of pain, quietly and in a dignified manner, at 6:30 am on 4th September, about 20 minutes before I could make it back to the hospital, which I will regret forever.

Ruth was a fantastic lady with a zest for life and experiences, hard when she needed to be, but with a compassionate nature and a character that was warm and welcoming to all who respected or befriended her. She loved all animals (except worms) and her many pets, and while I have lost my partner and soul-mate, I have gained two orphan cats (Charlie and PJ) who I promise to look after and love just as Ruth did.

Ruth is also mourned by her brother, Philip, his wife Clare, and their two children, Daniel and Alexander, who I know feel the pain as much as I do.

Wait for me Ruth, I'll catch you up one day.

XXX Dave

I you loved Ruth even a tiny fraction of how much I did, then please give something to either of the two charities she supported, St Giles Hospice in Whittington, or MacMillan Cancer Support.