A WOMAN who was donated a kidney by her husband last Christmas has died.

Speaking to your Worcester News in December, Mandy Holton said the gift of a kidney from her husband Clive had been the best present she could have wished for.

But just 12 months after her life-saving operation, and a short battle after contracting a virus, she died on Saturday, October 24 at the University Hospital, Coventry, aged 45.

The couple, of Coventry Avenue, St John’s had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in August and a holiday given to them by their four children John, aged 24, Michael, 23, Paul, 21 and Becky, 20, in Weston-super-Mare.

Mr Holton said doctors had been pleased with her progress.

“She had also finished with her dialysis once the transplant was successful, and everything was going so well. But a few weeks ago she said that there was something wrong with her back.

“Mandy did keep a lot to herself and she never wanted to worry us. But before we knew it she was in hospital and was very poorly.

“The virus overtook her body and was attacking all of her organs. She was a very strong and brave lady. She fought all the way to the end and never gave up.”

Mrs Holton, who worked in Morrison’s, Malvern, was excited to hear she was to become a grandmother for the first time, but sadly didn’t live to see her grandchild born.

“Becky is pregnant and Mandy was so looking forward to becoming a grandma for the first time soon as family was so important to her,” said Mr Holton.

Mrs Holton received the transplant from her husband last October.

She had already had one kidney transplant when whe was in her 20s, but that organ had failed.

Her son Paul said: “We wouldn’t change either of our parents for the whole world. They are the perfect parents and she was especially the perfect mum, the best, and we miss her dearly. She always thought about others before herself. She gave without ever expecting anything back. She was very kind, generous and always brought joy to other people.

“When my dad gave her his kidney, she said it was the best thing anyone could have done for her and we are all just so glad that she was given those extra months of life.”

Mrs Holton’s funeral will be held at Worcester Crematorium on Tuesday, November 3, at 11am. The family has asked for donations for the British Kidney Patients Association (BKPA) to be sent to the Co-operative Funeralcare on 17 Lowesmoor, Worcester. A collection plate will be available at the service.