A MUM of two whose courage in the cruellest circumstances impressed Worcester News readers has lost her four-year fight with cancer.

Deirdre Reading - known as Dee - suffered more tragedies than most people would be able to cope with.

Her 20-year-old daughter Vicki and her boyfriend Carl were killed in a car accident in October 2002.

Just over three months later, Mrs Reading was diagnosed with colon cancer.

In an emergency operation, 75 per cent of her colon was removed. Surgeons discovered a secondary tumour on her liver and they removed 60 per cent of that too.

Months later, her son Andy Duncan was diagnosed with testicular cancer, although the 27-year-old is now fit.

A month later, Mrs Reading's husband Charles had an accident which left him with a severely damaged kneecap.

Mrs Reading died on Wednesday, May 9, at St Richard's Hospice, Worcester, aged 56.

Mr Reading paid tribute to his strong and determined wife of 20 years.

"She was a very meticulous and organised person," he said. "She helped create a wonderful home. She was just such a fighting and lively character."

Mrs Reading, of Tolladine, Worcester, worked for the West Midlands police in the fingerprint enhancement unit in Birmingham.

She always returned to work at the earliest opportunity and even worked at home during her recuperation. Shortly before Christmas she was given a police award for courage in the face of tragic events.

Mr Reading said his wife worked only three days before being admitted to the hospice but her condition had deteriorated very quickly.

"Going to work, even for just a couple of days a week, helped her maintain her determination," he said. "She loved her job as well which kept her going."

In June 2004, Mrs Reading appeared on our front page to urge others to sign up to Cancer Research's Race for Life. That year she took part in the event, dedicating her efforts to the healthcare workers who had helped her.

A celebration of Mrs Reading's life will be held on Monday, May 21, at 3.30pm, at Worcester Crematorium.

"It will be very busy on the day," said Mr Reading. "She has been an inspiration to lots of people.

"People were just astounded that she fought so hard and continued to keep working, even when she was very ill."

Mr Reading has asked mourners not to dress in black. "She was a colourful and lively person and we request that people dress to befit her character," he said.

"I have spent the past two years jotting down notes because we knew this day would come. I have a very memorable way of saying goodbye to her and it will be a wonderful way to do it."