Emma Kinghan (23) married her boyfriend Enda Coary (30) in an emotional ceremony at the Marie Curie Hospice, Belfast, on May 1, knowing the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with had only a few days left to live.
Enda, who was originally from Dungannon, died three days later from the virulent cancer which had riddled his body - and which had first started from a malignant mole on his leg last summer.
But despite the fatal diagnosis, the devoted couple planned the wedding ceremony - the first in the Marie Curie Hospice - to fulfill Enda's dying wish to marry his sweetheart of four years.
"It was a very emotional cermony which was attended by around 30 of our family and friends," said Emma, who works as a hairdresser and beautician at Shortcutz salon at Moy Road. "In the end, we had to move the service forward after doctors' advice and I ended up just wearing my jeans.
"But not wearing a wedding dress just didn't seem to matter. It was the symbolism of what we were doing - exchanging our vows - and even though at that stage Enda was extremely ill, he said it was the best day of his life. And it was the best day of mine too."
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To add extra poignancy to the day, a few hours after the marriage ceremony, Enda was conferred with his Law Degree in a special ceremony organised by the Law Society. He had studied Law at Queen's University, Belfast, and had been determined to finish his apprenticeship with legal firm Aidan Quinn in Dungannon while courageously battling the progessing cancer.
Said Emma, "Enda had had this mole on his leg all his life, but last summer it started to bother him and he decided to have it removed. The strange thing was it hadn't changed colour or shape or anything, so it was no surprise when the results came back 'all clear'. Then, in July, two months later, we had a real shock when we were told it hadn't been 'all clear' after all.
Enda then faced two separate surgical operations and skin grafts. Meanwhile, scans kept coming back clear. Then, when things were starting to look hopeful again, he found a lump in his groin just before December and was brought into hospital again for further treatment.
"Enda came home on Christmas Eve - still with a surgical drain inserted - because he insisted on being home for Christmas," said Emma. "It was typical; he was going stir-crazy in hospital. He was a very strong, inspirational, yet modest person."
The couple became engaged three days before Valentine's Day this year and had already bought a house and discussed plans for the future. "Now those plans are gone and I just can't take it in," added Emma. "Enda was the love of my life and I am hearbroken. I was so proud of him, because despite all the pain he was in, he never moaned or gave up his fight for life. At one stage he had fluid on his lungs and was given a week to live, but even then he fought back and said he would never give up.
"The strange thing was that Enda was never really a sun worshipper and the doctors have since told me that a high percentage of melanomas are not directly related to excess sun at all. I think this is something more people should be aware of."
Due to complications, Enda never had the chance to undergo a course of chemotherapy treatment and, as the disease advanced, he was cared for in the hospice six weeks prior to his death.
"The hospice was absolutely brilliant, as were all the staff in 4 North, the cancer unit at the City Hospital," added Emma, who met Enda while they were both working together at the Fort Bar in Dungannon.
The funeral service took place last Wednesday at St Malachy's Church, Edendork, and was taken by Father Peter McAnenely - who six days earlier had officiated at the couple's wedding. Enda is survived by his wife Emma, his parents Sean and Mary, sister Amanda and brothers Paul and Karl.
Enda's death is the second family tragedy for the Coary family, who seven years ago suffered the loss of another son, Darragh, from meningitis when he was aged 15. Sadly, Emma's brother John also died from meningitis 26 years ago at the age of seven.