A Co Armagh mother-of-four, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, has passed away in Mexico.
Tracey Crossan died suddenly – but peacefully – in Tijuana on Saturday.
The 49-year-old glass artist from Ballymoyer in south Armagh was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer last July, and despite the terminal diagnosis, had not given up hope.
In fact, Tracey had been in Mexico receiving alternative cancer treatments, when she passed away.
Over the last 12 months Tracey had shown tremendous courage and was a beacon of light in the community in the lead up to – and aftermath of – Armagh’s All-Ireland triumph, seen out and about with a smile on her face.
Her battle spurred on a community who helped raised over £110,000 through various initiatives and a GoFundMe page.
Sadly, the Time for Tracey page, earlier on Saturday evening, announced Tracey’s passing.
“It is with broken hearts we bring you the devastating news that our beloved Tracey has passed away suddenly but peacefully in Tijuana,” it read.
“We offer our deepest condolences to her adored [husband] Dominic, [and children] Oonagh, Fiachra, Sarah and Fianna.
“To her mummy, Anne, and her brother Shane and Anne, to her sisters and brothers in laws, her nephews and nieces, her Aunts and Uncles and her wide circle of family and friends.
“We would like to give our thanks at this time to all those family and friends who have already rallied and offered support and prayers, especially to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust for their invaluable assistance so far.
“The support Tracey received to help her fight this disease from our local community all over the country provided her with so much love and hope and we will be eternally grateful. Please keep sharing her legacy and your beautiful stories with us.”
Funeral arrangements will follow.
St Killian GAC in Whitecross paid tribute to Tracey who “has been around our club for many years supporting her children as they progressed through various age groups”.
“We loved to see her creativity in her art and she always had time for a chat,” they wrote.
“We were only too happy to be able to play a part in the Time for Tracey campaign and we were truly astonished at the funds raised by our wee locality in such a short space of time. We followed her journey to Tijuana and watched the frequent updates which were delivered with true Tracey positivity.
Read more: Co Armagh mum-of-four travelling to Mexico in bid to beat terminal cancer diagnosis