A Midland cancer survivor who “owes her life” to Linda Nolan paid tribute to the star, describing her as beautiful “inside and out” and someone who “taught her to make the most of life”, despite battling the illness herself.
Gail Jones, 59, was a lifelong fan of the Nolan Sisters, attending every concert, meet-and-greet, and buying every album. In 2020, Gail was diagnosed with breast cancer, a decade after the late Bernie Nolan had urged her to check her breasts – advice that saved her life.
Gail formed a close bond with Linda, who was also fighting cancer, and Linda supported Gail throughout her treatment until she received the all-clear in November 2021. Their last conversation took place two weeks ago, during which Linda said: “I’m still here and I’m still going, so I’m going to live every day”.
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The West Bromwich mum-of-four credits both Linda and sister Bernie for saving her life and said news of Linda’s death at 65 was “absolutely devastating”. Gail last spoke to Linda on the phone two weeks ago, aware her health was declining.
She said: “I’m heartbroken. Linda got me through some very dark times in my life and my cancer treatment. When I was diagnosed, I was so scared but Linda was so strong and positive, and she taught me to make the most of life.”
“She and Bernie literally saved my life. I didn’t want to be here at times, but Linda kept me going and reminded me what I have to live for. She was funny, she was strong and inspirational. She was beautiful inside and out.”
Gail discovered a lump in her breast in July 2020, ten years after Bernie had reminded her to never neglect the checks. As a result, she was diagnosed with a grade-three tumour and turned to Linda for support, who was also battling incurable cancer at the time.
Despite going into remission a year later, Gail, who lives with her wife Susan Jones, 60, continued to maintain a close friendship with Linda. They would regularly meet up and stay in touch over the phone.
Gail Jones and Linda Nolan outside Blackpool Victoria Hospital in December 2020.
(Image: No credit)
Gail said: “Linda despised the word ‘brave’ – she would always say to me ‘it’s not about being brave, I don’t have a choice. But in my eyes, she was incredibly brave.”
“She was an inspiration as well. And such a beautiful soul, both inside and out. She always made time for you.”
“Even in her last few weeks when she wasn’t feeling well at all, she’d say ‘I’m still here and I’m still going, so I’m going to live every day’.”
“I’m devastated because I knew how much she wanted to live. She told me she wanted to live longer, but that she wasn’t scared of dying.
“Linda made me feel like I wanted to enjoy every single day and be happy to be here. I like to think I can be as tough as she was, if anything happened to me.”
“I hope the crowds line the streets in Blackpool like they did for Bernie. I hope the people of Blackpool give her a good send-off. She definitely deserves one.”