A MOTHER-OF-TWO who has lost her long battle with cancer at the age of 46 has been described by her father as "a fighter to the last".
Brentwood resident Louise Eames died at Saint Francis Hospice on March 5, seven years after learning she had incurable brain cancer.
Following her diagnosis, the ex-City banker lived each day as if it was her last and took part in a range of fundraising activities including the London Marathon and a 12,0000 ft skydive.
Ms Eames, who lived in Regency Court, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer when she was sent for an MRI scan after suffering from severe dizziness.
The tumour, which was inoperable because a main artery ran through it, left her with epilepsy.
She had to bring up her two children – Emily, who is now 7 and goes to St Thomas' Infant School, in Sawyers Hall Lane and Tom, now 15 and at Brentwood School – alone after she split with her partner.
Emily is currently being looked after by her grandparents while Tom is living with another family in London.
Ms Eames, who was born in Barking and went to the then Hedley Walter School when her family moved to Brentwood in 1980, went on to a career in corporate finance for NatWest Markets.
She was told that she could have as little as six months to live when she was first diagnosed.
But it was after enjoying a special day at her beloved Arsenal FC with Tom in 2006 that she found a new focus and began setting goals for the future.
Two years later, Ms Eames completed the London Marathon in six hours 20 minutes to raise money for the Willow Foundation.
The Foundation arranges days out for people aged 16 to 40 with life-threatening illnesses, and organised Ms Eames' own trip to Arsenal Football Club.
Her father Derek Pearce said: "She was a fighter to the last.
"She did a half marathon and then in 2007 she did a full marathon.
"My daughter has always gone for it.
"She gained a lot of respect by the way she fought the disease."
Ms Eames' condition took a turn for the worse at Christmas when she was rushed to University College London Hospital where she spent more than three weeks being stabilised.
She spent a few days prior to her death at the family home in Doddinghurst.
Mr Pearce said: "She came back home on Friday and that day and Saturday, she was talking away.
"It was really nice, but by Sunday she was in a bad way again
"She was sent back to the hospice.
"She didn't talk anymore after that, but she was acknowledging people who were there.
"Unfortunately the big fellow up there had decided it was time to go."
She died two days later on March 5.
Friend Jenny Downs said: "She touched the heart of everyone she met.
"She was always there to help people.
"She would do anything for anyone."
Ms Downs became friends with Ms Eames after the pair met in hospital during the births of their daughters.
Ester, seven, and Emily are best friends at St Thomas Infant School.
Ms Downs 43, is now organising an 80s-themed disco to raise money for Saint Francis Hospice
She said: "Three weeks before she died she said she had a job for me to organise a fundraiser.
"It was to help pay back Saint Francis Hospice for all the care she had given her.
"She specifically wanted an 80s disco.
"She was convinced that she was going to be there.
"But she will be there in spirit."
To help her to raise as much money as possible she is holding a raffle and an auction and is asking for donations of prizes or auction items.
Tickets for the disco at St Helens Cathedral Hall, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, on Saturday May 18 between 8pm and 12am cost £10.
Please call 07962 115127 for tickets.
Louise's funeral service will be held at St Thomas' Church in St Thomas' Road, Brentwood, at 1.30pm on March 27.
