A MUM who lost both her parents as a child has been killed by cancer after her eight-year-old daughter died while waiting for a heart transplant.

       Alice Holton, 31, tragically lost her year-long battle with breast cancer on October 19.

       6

       Alice Holton has passed away after the death of daughter Ella Credit: Evening Gazette

       Her death comes just four years after daughter Ella passed away in 2017 while waiting for a second donor heart.

       Heartbroken friends and family have told how the mum-of-two had "unbelievable strength” despite going through “absolute hell” - including losing her parents a child.

       Her sister in Annelee Dee has now paid tribute to Alice, who has left behind her childhood sweetheart Darren Dee and a five-year-old daughter.

       The mum told Teesside Live: "She’s not had the best life growing up.

       “She was so positive though, she was the one who kept us all sane. She was so bubbly, bouncy and energetic.

       “She went through hell and was just such a lovely person. She was dealt the worst cards in life but took on every single hurdle.”

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       Alice had bravely opened up about her heartbreak after Ella passed away in 2017.

       The youngster had been diagnosed with a major heart defect while she was still in the womb and underwent major heart surgery.

       Ella was put on the NHS Organ Donation Register and received a new heart in 2015 but sadly her body rejected it.

       Tragically she died while waiting for the second heart.

       Annelee said: "It was just torture. We got it [the heart] but then it was just taken away again.

       “Darren and Alice went through so much heartache.

       “She was eight years old, it isn’t right.”

       'NOTHING BUT HEARTACHE'

       In October last year, the family were dealt another devastating blow when Alice was diagnosed with breast cancer after noticing a lump on her breast.

       Doctors later revealed the disease had spread to her brain after she collapsed with headaches and sickness and there was “nothing else they could do”.

       The determined mum was given just a "few weeks" to live but battled for a further five months to celebrate her daughter's fifth birthday.

       Annelee said: "She didn’t want to go on her birthday.

       “She was just so strong. My heart breaks talking about it.

       “It has been nothing but heartache.”

       Annelee, who has been friends with Alice since school, has spoken on behalf of her brother Darren.

       He was with Alice for 16 years from when they met in school aged 15.

       Annelee said: "Alice was his world. I can’t imagine what he is going through.

       “His sisters are doing everything possible to help. He just needs support now.”

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       Alice was diagnosed with breast cancer in October last year Credit: Facebook 6

       The mum-of-two had vowed to fight the disease but it spread to her brain Credit: Evening Gazette 6

       Her daughter Ella died in 2017 while waiting for a second donor heart 6

       She had been diagnosed with a major heart defect while still in the womb Credit: Evening Gazette 6

       Alice had opened up about her pain at her daughter's death Credit: Facebook