DANCER Ann-Marie Burgess has lost her fight with cancer, leaving husband Gary a widower for the second time.

The 41-year-old of Redhouse, who was given between three and six months to live last July after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, died last week.

The news has devastated the family, not least husband Gary, who also lost his first wife – the mum of his eldest son, 13-year-old Elliott – to the disease.

Ann-Marie also leaves behind a four-year-old son, Finley.

The dancer had a successful career after training at Judith Hockaday’s School of Dance. She was diagnosed with eye cancer several years ago, but was given the all-clear. But in 2013 she started feeling pain in her back and, following an MRI scan, doctors diagnosed her with an inoperable tumour.

Friends Gaynor Moreton and Vicki Hornby launched an appeal to raise £12,000 and help the family make the most of the time they have left, and spent the summer and autumn hosting a number of fundraising events – including a unique dance show at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre.

At the time Gaynor, who was Ann-Marie’s job-share partner at Nationwide, said: “Ann-Marie has always been so strong. She’s an amazing, amazing character, and she has worked so hard.

“She is a great friend and we just want to help her and her family create some happy memories despite this incredibly difficult time.”

Following Ann-Marie’s death, in a message posted on the fundraising campaign’s Facebook page last week, organisers said: “I’m incredibly saddened to let you know that Ann-Marie passed away yesterday morning.

“I’d like to thank you again for your support as it meant that Ann-Marie could spend a holiday with her family, a week away with her husband and many day trips out to make the very best of the time they had together.

“Ann-Marie was given a prognosis of 3-6 months, which took her until August, and it is testament to her courage, spirit and sheer will to survive that she saw her son’s first days at school and made it this far. It's such a shame she couldn't enjoy one last Christmas with her family.”

Gary added: “Thank you to everyone for the messages of support for myself and the boys at this incredibly difficult time.

“Ann-Marie was an amazing woman, amazing wife, mother and friend.”

After Ann-Marie was diagnosed with terminal cancer she established the Dragonflies Family Support Group as a place where the family she leaves behind can find comfort in peer-to-peer support with other families in similar situations.

In a message on the website, posted shortly after establishing the group, Ann-Marie said: “Hopefully, this group will give some support to not just my family but others going through similar tough times.

“I hope this will give my family some continuation – that they can make friends and feel part of a group whilst I’m around and that the group will still be there to support the family when I’m not.”

For more info about the group visit www.dragonfliesfamilysupport.org.uk