Tributes to brave Nicola McCurry after she loses 20-year cancer battle

Inspirational: Nicola McCurry was only 26

By Victoria O'Hara

An inspirational woman who battled cancer for 20 years and donated more than £40,000 to charity has died.

Nicola McCurry (26) from Cushendall, who had been suffering from neuroblastoma since she was six years old, was buried yesterday.

Mourners attended a Requiem Mass held in St Mary's Church in the Co Antrim village.

Described as a "remarkable young woman", Nicola is survived by her parents Evelyn and Francis, twin sister Naomi and brothers, John, Joseph and Francis.

Tributes were paid to Nicola, who had the same cancer as her second cousin Oscar Knox.

A keen camogie player, she was described as having "touched so many hearts in so little time".

Local SDLP councillor Margaret Anne McKillop said it was one of the biggest funerals she had witnessed in Cushendall.

"Everybody knows everybody in Cushendall and so people have just been left devastated," she said.

GAA club Ruairi Og Cushendall also paid tribute to Nicola, who was a member.

The club posted a poignant photo on Twitter of members wearing a charity wristband with the words 'God bless, wee Nic'.

Another said: "Had the pleasure of working with Cushendall cancer fighter Nicola McCurry few yrs ago. Learned 2day she passed away. May god rest her soul."

Nicola, the cousin of Stephen Knox, Oscar's dad, had spent a number of years in remission, but sadly relapsed in 2009.

She underwent further chemotherapy and surgery and was eligible for nuclear trials at UCL Hospital in America, which ended in November 2012.

She was devastated to be told in June 2013 that she had no other treatment options available.

Since the terminal diagnosis, Nicola decided to donate the £40,000 appeal money raised for her to help others suffering from the same cancer.