TRUE love never dies... and as Gareth Jones prepares for his first wedding anniversary alone he looks to keep the memory of his tragically beautiful bride Michelle alive.
It was love at first sight for Denbigh couple Gareth and Michelle Jones who met in 2002, and got engaged three years later, but as the last detail for their 2009 Christmas wedding was put into place they received the news Michelle had skin cancer.
It was hard to believe the two had not crossed paths before their first meeting, both had grown up and worked around Denbigh but when Gareth happened to attend Michelle's work party the two 'hit it off' straight away.
"We met on a night out and we got on great, and within a few weeks I had met her family, we could not bear to be apart really," said 38 year-old Gareth.
"I could not believe it when I met her that I had not bumped into this girl from down the road before, I couldn't believe my luck really."
At 13 Michelle was diagnosed with Crohns disease which left her very tired and constantly on tablets.
"She managed it really well and made a good life for herself but everyday was a constant battle, so she worked two part time jobs, one as a receptionist at Denbigh College and a medical secretary at Ultrasound in St Asaph."
On Valentines Day in 2005 Gareth proposed on a weekend break in London.
"She said yes straight away and we were both really happy."
It was a joyous engagement and Gareth said all was going well, with everything from the church booked to table plans arranged for their big day, but Michelle was becoming more tired.
Michelle's mother Shirley said this was not unusual though as her Crohns often left her sluggish.
She said: "We had never thought it was anything like cancer, being tired was not out of character for Michelle, she would get up and not know what kind of day she would have with her Crohns."
At the start of 2009 Michelle discovered a lump, she went to the doctors and had a byopsy taken on it and in February the couple were told Michelle had malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer.
Gareth said: "I just didn't know what to do, I was worried sick really, all I could do was support Michelle and try and get my head round it and convince us that it would be okay.
"At 23 my brother had testicular cancer and he survived, but when someone so young gets it you immediately think of death, when she got diagnosed I think it helped I had been through it with my brother and I just hoped things would be ok."
Skin cancer is often associated with those who tan and use sun beds but Shirley said Michelle had only been abroad three times and never sat out in the sun, even as a child. Doctors could not find the primary cause of the cancer.
Michelle, the eldest of three children, started her treatment in March, and took the difficult decision to postpone the wedding.
In early April the couple were told the devastating news the cancer had spread to her bones.
On her 30th birthday in April, Michelle was in hospital recovering from a major operation to both legs.
Gareth said: "We could now see the cancer was progressing, and in early June we were told the treatment was not working, and sadly nothing more could be done."
Shirley said: "She battled against it very much, remained positive and never complained, Michelle didn't really want to mention it, she never wanted sympathy."
Gareth said Michelles bravery and positive outlook was unbelievable.
He added: "Michelle had booked tickets before she got ill to see Take That in concert, a lifelong ambition, and nothing was going to stop her attending this at the end of June. "
As Michelle was now in a wheelchair it would have been impossible to sit in her original seats and so colleagues at Ultrasound arranged two tickets for a private box.
On the day of the concert Michelle had radiotherapy in the afternoon then went on to Manchester.
"She was exhausted and in pain but we were determined to go there and she managed to last the whole concert."
On July 10 Gareth said he was the proudest man in the world when he finally married his sweetheart in a small ceremony.
But it was a day of highs and lows.
"It was happy, stressful and sad, we knew what was to come and that was in the back of my mind. I would sometimes look at her smiling and enjoying herself and think, there must be a mistake."
Three weeks later Michelle passed away
"Michelle was a very special person, and I feel robbed she was taken away from us all at such an early age," said Gareth.
"She was only 30 and to go through what she did with Crohns and cancer was so unfair.
"But I also feel lucky that I was able to spend six happy years with her."
Gareth said the level of support they received was outstanding and so now he has set up the Michelle Jones Memorial Fund to give back to the District Nurses of Denbigh, National Association of Colitis and Crohns, the Willow Foundation and the fund will purchase items for the benefit of the patients known to the pallative care team at Glan Clwyd Hospital.
Nine family and friends make up the fund and will officially launch the project on July 2 at the Oriel House Hotel with a charity auction.
Some of the auction items include, two VIP tickets to see comedian John Bishop at the MEN Arena, a pampering session, four tickets for the executive box at Anfield and tickets to attend a live X Factor show in London.
"It has been, and continues to be a very difficult time, getting harder if anything, but I feel that establishing this fund will be a fitting tribute to a very special and remarkable young lady,” added Gareth.
Sealed bids are accepted upto Wednesday, June 30 to gwjones71@aol.com, scroll down for the full auction list
Auction items
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LFC AUTOGRAPHED FOOTBALL -Courtesy of Liverpool F.C
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DARTS BOARD SIGNED BY PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS PLAYERS -Courtesy of Mark Webster.
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ONE NIGHT B & B - Courtesy of the Deganwy Quays Hotel
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MICHELLE'S CROSS STITCH
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Three hour pampering session courtesy of Visage beauty salon Harddwch Vissage
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2 VIP TICKETS FOR COMEDIAN JOHN BISHOP AT MEN ARENA, MANCHESTER- Courtesy of the Manchester Evening News Arena
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MANICURE & PEDICURE- Courtesy of Visage Beauty Salon Harddwch Visage
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MEAL FOR 4 WITH WINE (LUNCHTIME IN THE WEEK ONLY) AT ODETTE'S PRIMROSE HILL, LONDON- Courtesy of Bryn Willimas, Head Chef
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4 TICKETS FOR EXECUTIVE BOX AT ANFIELD NEXT SEASON INCLUDING PRE MATCH DRINKS & POST MATCH MEAL - Courtesy of Rand Road Surfacing
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AUTOGRAPHED RUGBY BALL - Courtesy of the Welsh Rugby Union
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LUXURY MEAT HAMPER- Courtesy of NFU Mutual Ruthin & Corwen
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LAND ROVER DRIVING EXPERIENCE - Courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover
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SIGNED PHOTO OF KATHERINE JENKINS
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2 HOURS WHITEWATER RAFTING FOR 2 PEOPLE-Courtesy of National Water Sports Centre, Bala
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CELEBRATION CAKE- Courtesy of `Let them Eat Cake', Llandudno
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THREE MONTHS LESURE CLUB MEMBERSHIPAT CROXTON WOOD HOTEL, LEDSHAM Courtesy ofFarmers Union