KIRSTEN LIVED EVERY DAY OF HER LIFE TO THE FULL

BRAVE little Kirsten Brown, who lost her battle with cancer at the weekend, lived every day of her tragically short life to the full.

As recently as last week the indomitable four year-old, though very ill at the time, insisted on going to school at Dromore Nursery, where staff have treasured memories of their "little lady in pink".

Principal, Mrs. Sharon Beattie, who will pay tribute to Kirsten at the youngster's funeral service in Dromore Cathedral today (Tuesday), described her as "an absolutely beautiful child", who, thanks to her devoted parents, Paul and Lisa, and protective brothers, Jordan (12) and Jamie (10), experienced a lifetime of love in her four years.

Kirsten, from Hawthorn Walk, was just 18 months-old when she was diagnosed with ependymoma, a rare kind of brain tumour, and she underwent a harrowing series of surgical and drug treatments to arrest the disease, but just over a year ago the tumour began to grow again.

Doctors here pronounced the tumour inoperable and Kirsten's parents, vowing never to give up on their "wee princess", turned first to Great Ormond Street Hospital, then to America, in search of a surgical option, whilst willing to try experimental drugs and scouring specialist clinics in England, Canada, Switzerland and America in the hope of a miracle.

Sadly, it was not to be, and Kirsten passed away peacefully in hospital on Sunday.

"We remember her as our little lady in pink," said Mrs. Beattie. "She was such a very brave and resilient child; she was always smiling, no matter how ill she was.

"She was very ill on Monday but she wanted to come to school, and she did, for three hours."

Mrs. Beattie paid a warm tribute to Kirsten's parents too."They've given Kirsten in four years what some children wouldn't have in a lifetime," she said, adding that Paul and Lisa's determination never to give up was reflected too in Kirsten herself.

"It translated to Kirsten," she said. "She was full of life and always wanted to be in the midst of things, to be with her friends."

Kirsten's funeral takes place at 2pm today from her Hawthorn Walk home to Dromore Cathedral, followed by interment in the adjoining churchyard. Donations in lieu of flowers may, if desired, be sent to funeral director John Gamble, 7 Meeting Street, Dromore, for the Shine A Light charity, which cares for children with cancer.