Brave Liverpool cancer victim Kay Kelly, who was cured after meeting Pope John Paul II, has died at the age of 65.
Mother-of-four Kay touched the hears of the nation when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in 1978 and began an inspired fund-raising campaign.
Doctors did not expect her to survive the illness but she refused to be discouraged and raised more than £1m for cancer research and treatment.
A devout Roman Catholic, she became internationally famous after she travelled to Rome for an audience with Pope John Paul II, in March 1979.
At the meeting the newly-elected Polish pope hugged Kay after they chatted telling her "I'm very proud of you."
Following that visit Kay attended a regular health check at Merseyside's specialist Clatterbridge Hospital where medics were astonished to find her in "full remission" with no trace of the life-threatening cancer.
Kay said afterwards: "I felt that the meeting with the Holy Father was a turning point in my illness.
"His love and understanding created an atmosphere of joy, which embraced everybody and everything around. His smile reflected his inner peace and self-control."
When he later told of Kay's cancer cure Pope John Paul said "It was her faith that cured her."
The Kay Kelly cure could be cited as one of the miracles attributed to Pope John Paul II by supporters calling for him to be cannonised - proclaimed a Saint - by the Catholic Church.
Leading Roman Catholic peer, Lord Alton of Mossley Hill, paid tribute to Mrs Kelly.
Lord Alton, 59, said: "Kay was a tireless and infatigable campaigner whose compassionate voice will be sorely missed.
"She had a heart of gold and was never deterred by the things that most other people would allow to affect them.
"Her spirit was the spirit of Merseyside, the sort of grit and determination for which Liverpudlians are famous.
"Her story was a truly remarkable one. She certainly believed that her 'healing' from her cancer was a miracle that could be put down to the intercession of Pope John Paul II.
"She had extraordinary faith and passionately believed that her prayers had been answered."
A spokesman for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool said: "It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Kay Kelly.
"She was a lady of great faith and courage which shone through all she did.
"Her campaigning work over many years was always backed up by prayer and trust in the God who has now taken her home.
"Archbishop Patrick Kelly has this morning offered Mass for her. May she know joy in the Lord and rest in peace."
maureen, halewood around 1 year, 2 months ago