A husband has paid tribute to his beloved wife who died from secondary cancer.

Marion Strawhorne, 66, from the Meriden, Watford, died on July 7. She also leaves behind three sons all in their 30s.

Bill and Marion were married for 39 years and would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this October.

He said: “There are several things about Marion that are special to me.

“She was a very caring and compassionate person. If she saw someone that needed help, she would do her upmost to do so.

“Over the years, she has been a help to a significant number of people, touching quite a few lives.”

Watford Observer: Marion and BillMarion and Bill (Image: Bill Strawhorne)

He continued: “Fun and laughter followed Marion wherever she went. You would feel better just for having been with her, those characteristics really were key.”  

Marion died from metastatic cancer – when cancer cells break off from an original tumour.

She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and then in 2019. But it was in September 2022 during a check up it was discovered that the cancer had spread to her liver.

Watford Observer: MarionMarion (Image: Bill Strawhorne)

Bill said: “She deteriorated very quickly in the end, it was only a few weeks, and it all came as quite a surprise really.

“Even in the last few months, Marion was so brave. Right to the very end she was thinking about others.”

Before retiring she worked as a manager for two Watford companies. Marion then joined the committee of the Meriden Residents Association from 2017 until 2020.

Watford Observer: Marion at MRA Children's Christmas PartyMarion at MRA Children's Christmas Party (Image: Bill Strawhorne)

She helped organise several events, such as trips to South End and children’s Christmas parties.

“It was her expression of her wanting to care for people in the community,” Bill said.

He added: “She will be missed enormously, not just by the family but a large number of people as well.”

Watford Observer: Marion and BillMarion and Bill (Image: Bill Strawhorne)

When the date for Marion’s funeral was announced on Facebook, nearly 30 people shared their condolences, and an estimated 100 people attended her funeral.

Bill said: “She was the kind of person that formed very strong friendships.

“There were friends at the funeral who were from every phase of her life. It’s good to know she was appreciated.”