A MUM and daughter are united in grief after both their partners died from cancer within four days.

Retired Harwell worker Alan Smith, 78, died at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford less than 24 hours after he was diagnosed.

His widow Betty, 72, and daughter Mary Collins began arranging his funeral. But within four days Mary's

partner Phil Carter, 49, died of the bowel cancer he had fought for two years.

Betty, who has had three strokes and a heart attack, said: "Phil was consoling me,with his arm round my shoulders. A few days after, he wasn't there."

Betty, 72, of Stirlings Close, Wantage, was married for 46 years. She said: "Alan did such a lot for me - I was the one who was always poorly.

"I still hear his voice. The other night I went to elbow him in bed, but it was the pillow I still keep on his side."

Mary, 44, of Stockham Park, Wantage, was with haulage contractor Phil for two and a half years.

But she said: "We only had four months of happiness before he found out he had cancer.

"He was a fighter to the end and never moaned once. He used to say, 'As long as I'm waking up, I'll never give up'.

"When Dad died, Phil was so worried about not being able to help arrange Dad's funeral. Little did I know I'd be arranging his so soon after."

Mary, who has a son Gordon, aged 18, and daughter Laura, 13, added: "It's been such a terrible time that we have never got around to sending acknowledgements to people.

"We'd just like to thank family and friends, as well as the doctors and nurses, for all they have done.

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