THE family of one of the Vale’s few female funeral directors has paid tribute to her following her death, aged 49.

Nicola Ann Lewis, known locally as Nicki Ellis, of The Vale funeral service, died in the Macmillan Y Bwthyn Hospice on Monday, November 25.

In July 2015, Newport-born Ms Ellis noticed a lump on her right breast which resulted in her being diagnosed with an aggressive form of triple negative breast cancer which led to her requiring a right mastectomy.

She underwent a second operation of reconstruction and removal of the left breast at Morriston hospital.

But after this major operation she was diagnosed with cancer within the lymph nodes which had spread to the lining of her lung.

She received extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy following this, but in 2017 she was given a prognosis of 12 months.

Her family said: “This didn’t stop her carrying on with charity work and supporting others through social media.

“Nicola battled on and spent her time warning others about awareness of cancer and supporting others along the way.

“She organised many events and entered the Race for Life when she was well enough and when she was not well enough.

“Nicola had a social media presence that she often used to raise awareness of breast cancer and support to others throughout the UK.”

As a child she enjoyed old time dancing and won several medals.

She also trained at Taekwondo achieving red belt and entering several tournaments, but later gave this up as she broke too many toes.

As a teenager she intended to join the police force, but when the opportunity arose to join the ambulance service as a control assistant where she spent 17 years.

She achieved promotion to officer status before deciding to career change to a funeral arranger at James Summers, in Ely.

She was then involved in several charity events with Rev Jan Gould at the Church of Resurrection.

The mum-of-two was later employed with John Pidgeon funeral home and in the Vale funeral services, Barry.

She was firstly a funeral arranger but then later qualified as one of the few female funeral directors in the area.

She worked with several charities locally.

Her family added: “Nicola battled on through 2018 and on to her passing, always showing a ‘can do’ bravery.

“Nicola spent the last six months of her life living in Llanharan, with her parents, but still clinging on to hope.

“The last days of her life were spent at the Royal Glamorgan hospital on ward nine.

"Then with the Macmillan Y Bwthyn Hospice where she passed away with the presence of her mother Judith, father Roy, sisters Charlotte and Roanna and her two daughters Georgina and Nikita.

"Seconds before she passed, she smiled as if to say, ‘I am at peace.’

“A service to celebrate Nicola’s life was done by her friend Rev Jan Gould followed by a committal at the Barry and Vale crematorium.

“Two of Nicola’s aims were to see her 50th birthday and see and be at The Taj Mahal, which her friend Jane visited and sent photos a few days before her passing.

“Her hope and legacy are that many types of cancer will be defeated and to eliminate the fear.”

In remembrance of Nicola her family requests that any small change given at shops and bars be put in collection boxes and say: 'A penny for Nicki.'