By Kyra Gillespie
Family and friends mourn the loss of Simon Clayton, who died peacefully in his wife Lynneve’s arms at McCulloch House on Thursday 21 December 2017 after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.
Simon and Lynneve Clayton touched the hearts of the community when they decided to go ahead with their wedding plans in September last year, despite doctors telling Simon that he was at stage four and had only three months to live.
Readers may remember how the entire community rallied behind the local couple to give the terminally ill man a wedding day he would never forget, with complete strangers donating their time and energy to making the big day happen.
“We were just going to plan an intimate dinner with family and friends and have the vows as part of the dinner”, Lynneve had said.
“We had literally everything donated; from the invitations, to the wedding outfits, to the food, the wait staff, the photographers and even the honeymoon.
“We were blown away, standing in the kitchen with tears pouring down our face at the generosity and the love that people were showing untowardly and without reserve towards us.”
Before the wedding, Simon spoke about the effect that the diagnosis had on his life.
“It changes how you view things and it changes what you make important. You begin to really relish the little moments”, he’d said.
“I’m in God’s good hands, and even though I don’t understand why this has to be such a hard journey, I know he’s got me.”
Simon was a dearly loved brother to Geoff, Damien and Ashley, father to Taylor and stepfather to James. He was known as a loving uncle to Madison, Callum, Michael, Joshua and Isabel.
Those who knew and loved Simon gathered to remember his life at Planetshakers Church in Lower Plenty on Thursday 28 December.
