'Jessica just had so much to offer' Brave mum, 29, dies on her toddler daughter's birthday.Byline: Sarah Miloudi HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a Cardiff nursery nurse who died on the day of her daughter's second birthday. Mother-of-one Jessica Tomkinson, of Riverside, Cardiff, died after a seven-year battle with Astrocytoma astrocytoma /as·tro·cy·to·ma/ (as?tro-si-to´mah) a tumor composed of astrocytes; the most common type of primary brain tumor and also found throughout the central nervous system, classified on the basis of histology or in order of - one of the most common types of central nervous system and brain cancers. Jessica, 29, a single mother to Amber, was diagnosed with the disorder in 2001 while she was working in London as a nanny. Jessica underwent two rounds of surgery, one at the Royal St Mary Hospital in London and another at the University Hospital of Wales University Hospital of Wales (referred to locally as "the Heath" or UHW), opened in 1971, is situated on the outskirts of central Cardiff, Wales. It is also the third largest University Hospital in the United Kingdom providing 24 hour Accident & Emergency and various in Cardiff. She also received chemotherapy at Llandough and Velindre Hospitals but in August this year she was taken into respite care Respite Care Short-term or temporary care of a few hours or weeks of the sick or disabled to provide relief, or respite, to the regular caregiver, usually a family member. Notes: at Holme Tower, Penarth. The young mum was allowed to return home to Cardiff onOctober 29 - the day before her daughter turned two. Jessica sadly passed away the following day. Her colleagues at the Toad Hall Montessori Nursery & Creche described Jessica as a carer whose professionalism was beyond question. Sandy Clayton, owner and principal of the nursery in Station Road, Llandaff North, said: "Miss Jess, as she was known to parents and children, first came to work for me as a nursery assistant in 1996, aged just 17 years. "From day one she showed tremendous enthusiasm, commitment, determination and passion for her role, and in 2000 she achieved her NVQ NVQ n abbr (BRIT) (= national vocational qualification) → título de formación profesional NVQ n abbr (= National Vocational Qualification) → two in childcare and education." After falling ill, Jessica decided to return to Cardiff. Ms Clayton added: "Throughout her career the quality of her professionalism was just unquestionable. Jessica was somebody who had so much to offer and could have gone far in her profession." Others said Jessica had a "warm" and "bubbly" personality who never let things get her down. "She is a true inspiration to us all," Ms Clayton added. Jessica's funeral was held yesterday at Thornhill Crematorium cre·ma·to·ri·um n. pl. cre·ma·to·ri·ums or cre·ma·to·ri·a A furnace or establishment for the incineration of corpses. crematorium Noun pl -riums or which was attended by relatives, friends and staff from Toad Hall. Anyone who knew Jessica is being invited to write letters to her daughter so that in years to come Amber will have a set of memories about her mother to cherish. Letters can be sent to Amber via the nursery in Station Road, Cardiff, CF14 2FF. sarah.miloudi@mediawales.co.uk CAPTION(S): INSPIRATION: Jessica 'could have gone far' as a nursery nurse |
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