THE FINAL FAREWELL
Dame Tessa Jowell died surrounded by family members telling her she’d ‘live forever in their souls’, daughter-in-law Deliciously Ella reveals
THE family of former Labour cabinet minister Tessa Jowell have revealed how they held her in their arms as she died, telling her she would "live forever in the centre of their souls".
Dame Tessa, who had been diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour in May last year, passed away last night aged 70 - having campaigned for the need of more experimental treatments to be available for cancer sufferers in the last months of her life.
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Her son's wife Ella Mills, founder of the Deliciously Ella brand, revealed the politician's last moments, writing in a poignant piece: "She was lying in Matt, his sister Jess, and their Dad’s arms, as they told her that she would live forever in the centre of their souls.
"I’ve never seen love like I have since becoming part of their family.
"Tessa was the warmest and kindest soul, she welcomed me so generously into their family, and no matter what she has achieved in her life - and she achieved an extraordinary amount, I know her family are the thing that made her most proud."
She said she was honoured to be part of the family, saying they had been the "complete core" of Dame Tessa's life.
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Ms Mills added: "The bravery you showed this past year was like nothing I have ever seen and I will be inspired by it every day of my life. Matt carries every bit of your goodness, drive, compassion and love, and I’ll look after him forever."
The ex-culture secretary had suffered a haemorrhage on Friday, and had been in a coma before her death on Saturday.
Despite undergoing extensive treatment herself, Dame Tessa didn't stop campaigning to support others - receiving a standing ovation after giving an emotional speech in the House of Lords, calling for more to be done to support those diagnosed with cancer.
Dame Tessa herself underwent experimental treatment, wearing a £250,000-a-year skull cap which fired electrical pulses into her brain to treat her cancer.
She was so warm and selfless
By Alan Johnson, Ex-Cabinet Colleague
WHEN I heard the sad news, I looked up the last text message I’d received from Tessa. It was typical of the woman — wry, funny and courageous.
It ended with Tessa expressing her determination “to beat through this tumour” and suggesting we meet up for a coffee. That meeting never took place but how I wish it had.
Tessa was the most selfless person I’ve met in my political life.
While I’ll remember her work on Sure Start and in convincing a sceptical Cabinet that Britain should bid to host the Olympics, most of all I’ll remember the Tessa Jowell who spent so much time helping the families of those killed or injured in the terrorist attack on London in July 2005.
Tessa Jowell was a great politician but most of all she was a warm and wonderful human being.
Theresa May pays tribute to ex-minister Tessa Jowell after she speaks about brave battle with cancer
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Tributes have since flowed in for the "selfless" figure in Parliament after her death was announced, with many saying without her work and passion, the London 2012 Olympics would not have happened.
Lord Sebastian Coe, president of the IAAF and former chairman of the London organising committee of the Olympic Games, saying: "Tessa was not just a close friend, she was a life enhancer.
"Her contribution to the Olympic and Paralympic Games is easily defined – quite simply, without Tessa there would have been no London 2012, and without Tessa they would not have been the success they were.
“No politician deserves greater credit for the Games. She showed unflinching tenacity in persuading the Prime Minister and the Cabinet that the Government should throw its full weight behind the bid.”
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Dame Tessa had become involved in politics at an early age, elected to the Camden Council and chairing its Social Services committee at just 25.
She ultimately made it to Westminster in 1992, elected as MP for Dulwich & West Norwood in 1992 - becoming fiercely local to former Prime Minister Tony CLair.
But she truly made her mark when she insisted that London should bid for the 2012 Olympics, and she became a key figure in organising the opening ceremony and events.
Tessa stepped down as an MP in 2015 and lost out to Sadiq Khan in a bid to be London Mayor in 2016.
Sky News reporter Kay Burley tweeted: “The heart of a lion, the soul of an angel. Her dedication to public service should be an inspiration to all who would follow her into parliament.”
But despite leaving politics more than a decade ago, Dame Tessa's contribution has not been forgotten, with tributes today flowing in.
Prime Minister Theresa May has said the dignity and courage with which Dame Tessa Jowell confronted her illness was “humbling” and “inspirational”, adding that her campaigning on brain cancer research was “a lasting tribute to a lifetime of public service”.
Ex-PM Tony Blair called her “the most wise of counsellors, the most loyal and supportive of colleagues, and the best of friends”.
Mr Blair added she had "passion, determination and simple human decency in greater measure than any person I have ever known."
He said: "What she achieved was remarkable."
Tony Blair reveals how Tessa Jowell changed his mind to make London 2012 Olympics bid
What is glioblastoma? The cancer that claimed the life of Dame Tessa
Glioblastoma is the most common high grade cancerous primary brain tumour in adults.
The cancer begins in the brain and is often quick to spread.
The symptoms can initially be quite non-specific, including headaches, nausea, confusion, memory loss and decline in brain function, problems with balance, incontinence and vomiting.
There is no clear way to prevent the disease. It can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
For most people diagnosed with glioblastoma the life expectancy is between 12 -15 months.
Dame Tessa revealed that she first realised something was wrong when she got into a taxi but couldn't speak, then having two powerful seizures.
She underwent surgery to have the tumour removed, then undergoing experimental treatment to tackle the cancer.
In her emotional speech to her peers earlier this year, she said: "In the end, what gives a life meaning is not only how it is lived, but how it draws to a close.
"I hope this debate will give hope to other cancer patients like me.
"So that we can live well with cancer, not just be dying of it."
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He was joined by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who said Dame Tessa would be remembered for her "courage, strength and compassion".
He said: "Tessa Jowell has memorable and lasting achievements to her name - as a popular London MP, a pioneering health minister and as the culture secretary who delivered the London Olympics.
"No one will ever forget the courage, strength and compassion for others that defined her life, shown in her incredible bravery in facing cancer and her desire to ensure that even while she suffered herself, she helped others who faced similar illnesses."
Speaking on BBC this morning, former Blair spokesperson Alastair Campbell remembered Dame Tessa as a "life-affirming force".
He said: "She was totally motivated by other people.
"Even in the way she faced up to her illness, from the moment she was diagnosed, she was starting to think about other people who had the same condition."
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted: "Devastated to hear we have lost Tessa Jowell. She was quite simply the bravest and the best & brought magic to whatever she touched whether SureStarts, London 2012 or campaigning for those who like her were battling with incurable cancer. RIP."
James Brokenshire, who stepped down as Northern Ireland secretary after being diagnosed with lung cancer, said having known Dame Tessa was a "privilege".
He tweeted: "So very saddened by the news that Tessa Jowell has passed away.
"Tessa's unstinting passion to secure positive change for others even in the face of her own physical adversity is an inspiration to us all.
"A privilege to have known Tessa and I know her message of hope will endure."
What was her treatment? Dame Tessa Jowell at the forefront of pioneering treatment
SHE made a passionate speech about her condition and the need for treatment - bringing her peers at the House of Lords to tears.
Dame Tessa Jowell was at the forefront of receiving experimental treatment herself, having argued that patients should be able to try something different.
The popular figure underwent a number of types of treatment, including wearing a £250,000-a-year- skull cap to fight her cancer.
The cap fired electrical pulses into her brain in the hopes it would halt the spread of the cancer cells.
But at its current price, the device is considered too expensive to be routinely offered, or paid for, by the NHS.
Dame Tessa had been provided the cap on a test basis by the NHS, with the cost covered by the manufacturer, US firm Novacare.
Dame Tessa Jowell remembered by Alastair Campbell as politician who was the most 'compassionate, empathetic person'
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In announcing her death, a family spokesman said: “It is with great sadness, and an enormous sense of loss, that we announce the death of Tessa Jowell.
"She died peacefully at the family home near Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire last night, shortly after 10pm.
"Her husband David and their children Jessie and Matthew were by her side, with Jessie’s husband Finn, Matthew’s wife Ella, and David’s children from his first marriage.”
The spokesman added: "In addition to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in recent months doctors tried innovative new treatments which Tessa gladly embraced, but sadly the tumour recently progressed very quickly.
"The family would like to thank people for the overwhelming support Tessa and they have received since she became ill.
"They have been touched and moved by the response, in both Houses of Parliament; from members of the public; and other cancer patients and their families around the world."
The spokesman said there will be a small private funeral in the coming days, and a memorial service open to all at a later date.
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Commons Speaker John Bercow paid tribute to Dame Tessa as an "indefatigable campaigner".
He said: "Through her focus on Early Years provision, Tessa did more than most to improve lives and promote social justice.
"Passionate, warm and empathetic, she saw the best in everyone and won respect and affection across the political spectrum."
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