The daughter of a former Addenbrooke’s and Lister Hospital nurse who “always put others before herself” is to throw a fundraiser in aid of the hospice who cared for her before she died of cancer aged 58.

Ami Jarman’s mum Liz Thurley, who was originally from Royston and lived in Newnham, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three weeks before she passed away in April this year.

Her daughter Ami told the Crow: “Mum was misdiagnosed at the beginning with gallstones, and further scans later revealed it was pancreatic cancer.

“I took her to Lister Hospital in Stevenage in on the Friday evening as she looked awful. She was diagnosed as terminal and given around a year to live on the Wednesday before being sent home the following week.

“It was such a sudden and short battle and she was so positive throughout, showing her brilliant and wicked sense of humour.

“She didn’t want any more tests as she wanted to enjoy the rest of her time. We found out that the cancer had spread to her liver, lungs, bones and lymph nodes and were all numb with shock.”

Liz had worked at Lister and Addenbrooke’s hospitals when she first qualified, and went onto work at nursing homes, Bassingbourn Barracks, GP surgeries and most recently at Kneesworth House Hospital – with daughter Ami, 28 – as a practice nurse.

Ami said: “Mum was my best friend – she meant everything to me.

“She loved nursing because she loved helping other people. She was so caring and would always put others before herself.

“When she was ill it was so difficult, I became her full time carer and work gave me some time off to look after her.

“We had planned that I would take her to appointments, but two weeks later she passed away at home surrounded by her family – me, my brother Darren, my grandma and my stepdad.

“Mum had always wanted her nails done professionally, but wasn’t able to due to being a nurse, so I painted them for her when she was near the end, half an hour later she passed away.”

Ami is throwing a charity evening – with the help of Liz’s close friend Mary Temple – at Royston High Street’s The Old Bull Inn on Friday, July 20, from 7.30pm until late. There will be live music, a disco, charity auction and buffet – the entry fee is a donation at the door.

She said: “The fundraiser is so important to me because Garden House Hospice were completely amazing. They came three times in the day, morning, noon and evening to help mum get washed and get comfortable in bed. Towards the end they came over for night sits and would sit up with us as a family and explain everything so well and put our minds to rest when we were worried about anything.

“The staff were so caring, respectful and treated mum with the most dignity that I had ever seen before, They spoke to her regardless of if she was awake or not. The staff are truly amazing, I can never thank them enough for what they done for us and my mum.”

To donate to the cause, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lizthurley.