Tributes have been paid to an "inspirational" Bolton woman who died after a battle with cancer. 

Marcelle Hesketh died on July 24 this year surrounded by her family, aged 57. 

Marcelle suffered with bowel cancer, with the disease having spread to her lungs, liver and spleen. 

Her sister, Kellie McGarry, said: "She passed away on July 24 at Bolton Hospice, I can't describe how amazing they are, the members of staff and the volunteers. 

"She loved it because she could see all the gardens outside and watch the volunteers tend to them. 

"It is an amazing space, anything she wanted they had. It definitely made her more comfortable.

She had been suffering with bowel cancerShe had been suffering with bowel cancer (Image: Family)

"She died with her family all around her." 

Marcelle celebrated her 57th birthday on July 2, with her family throwing her a party.

She was too ill to attend the party, but attendees raised over £5k for Bolton Hospice, honouring her birthday wish. 

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Kellie added: "She was funny, witty and caring, that was her. She would brighten up a room with her smile. 

Marcelle HeskethMarcelle Hesketh (Image: Family)

"She was lovely and she was a brilliant mum and loving wife. Me and all my sisters are going to miss her. 

"She was inspirational, an inspiration to all those who came across her. 

"It has been very hard but doing the fundraiser was her happy distraction. 

"She realised before she died how much she was cared about and it meant the world to her." 

Kellie said they are going to continue to do the fundraiser each year in memory of Marcelle. 

She said: "We are going to continue to raise money for Bolton Hospice in her memory and other family members who were cared for by them. 

Marcelle leaves behind her husband, Sean, and her two daughters, Yazmin, 35, and Shabaana, 33, and her five grandchildren.