Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
A heartbreaking story has emerged from the UK, where a bride passed away on the same day of her wedding, only hours after exchanging vows with her husband.
Jade Tabrar, 37, and Adam Kemp, 42, were married in an intimate ceremony on November 3.
Jade, a mother of five, received a diagnosis of stomach cancer in August 2023. Upon learning that Jade had only three months left, the couple chose to marry.
The childhood sweethearts had their wedding at home, and tragically, Jade died in her husband’s arms just hours after the ceremony.
“She looked me in the eye and said she was so glad to be Mrs Kemp and have our family,” said Adam.
“Then her head slumped and I knew her soul has left. She had gone.
“We stayed there, our heads touching and I said: ‘I love you, baby. It’s okay, you can go now, no more pain.’”
He added: “We stayed like that for a while, just us. It was the most amazing day – such a perfect day. I got to finally marry the most beautiful woman in the world.
“I love you forever and always, Jade Louise Kemp.”
Jade was diagnosed in August 2023 after experiencing significant weight loss, stomach pains, and difficulty eating during pregnancy.
Initially, doctors attributed her symptoms to the physical demands of pregnancy, but after giving birth, Jade’s symptoms continued.
Upon undergoing tests, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 stomach cancer, which rapidly advanced to Stage 4 before she could begin treatment.
“It floored her,” said Adam.
“It made her so ill and so sick, but she was so brave and just kept going, fighting the cancer all the way.
“And all the time being an amazing partner and amazing mother.
“We always knew we wanted to get married – we were soulmates and wanted to be together forever.
“But because we saw so many people marry and then split up after a few years, we always joked that we’d wait until our 20th anniversary and then have our big dream wedding.”
In May, Jade received positive news that she was stable and could cease treatment.
Unfortunately, her condition worsened, and by September, tests revealed the cancer had spread to her womb and ovaries.
“She was so strong. She started a bucket list and all she wanted to do was make sure the children had the best Christmas,” said Adam.
“But deep down she knew she wasn’t even going to make Christmas.”
The couple then planned their wedding with the help of a hospice team, organizing everything from paperwork to decor for their special day.
“The end was coming so quickly. We knew we didn’t have long,” Adam continued.
“The registrar came to our house because Jade was so poorly.
“She was wheeled up the hallway, then I wheeled her into the room. I knelt down beside her during the ceremony so we could be on the same level.
“We said ‘I do’ and she reached up, brushed my tears away and said ‘Don’t cry, I love you’.
“Everyone there was in floods of tears and said they have never seen a wedding filled with so much love.”
After the guests left, Adam helped Jade into her pyjamas, and they reminisced about their cherished memories.
“Then her breathing changed. I called Willen Hospice and they came out, checked her, and said it wouldn’t be long,” he said.
“I knew then that I would lose my soulmate on the day I married her.”
Jade passed away at 10:45 pm, just hours after becoming a bride.
Jade had previously established a fundraising page to fulfill her bucket list. This has since been updated to assist the family with funeral expenses.
You can donate here.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].