Tributes paid to Ipswich great grandma Denise Billington

Denise Billington passed away on Wednesday, September 27, from Alzheimer's, much to the shock of her family, who she was celebrating her birthday with just four days prior.

She was much loved by her husband, Cliff, a parent to Tracy, Anthony and Mark, who passed away when he was 27, a grandma to Daisey, Millie, Harry, Mark and Phoebe and a great-grandma to Milo.

Denise with the family at her birthday celebrations, just four days before passing away (Image: Submitted)

Denise was living with end-stage dementia which meant she was losing the ability to talk clearly, forgetting how to swallow food, and taking a lot of tumbles due to having difficulty walking.

The family continued with their pre-planned fundraisers for the Alzheimer's Society and said the evenings felt more poignant following the 78-year-old's death.

Her daughter, Tracy, said: "It was really shocking.

"We went and saw her and she just stopped breathing in front of us.

Denise and Cliff with their grandchildren when they were younger, Daisey, Millie and Harry (Image: Submitted)

"She was ok up until June, and then she had a fall, so in the last three months, she's deteriorated.

"It came as a real shock because, although her health was declining, she had stayed quite stable.

"She loved people, she was very popular, very funny, and her sense of humour was great, very dry.

Denise with her great-grandson Milo (Image: Submitted)

"My brother Mark passed away when he was 27, years ago now, and she's had a really tough time, but she has always moved on with life and was able to support everyone.

"She loved a Bacardi and Coke and was a huge fan of Tina Turner."

Last week, members of the family went to get tattoos which said 'Simply The Best' on them, which was Denise's favourite song, along with the words Forget Me Not, an appeal from Alzheimer's Society.

Some of the family members after getting their tattoos saying 'Simply the Best' (Image: Submitted)

Millie, her grandaughter, who had leukaemia as a child and has gone on to be a child nurse herself, said: "I remembered walking home, and if she saw you, or you spotted her car, you knew there was always going to be a pack of Percy Pigs or something waiting for you.

"We'd always do a quick dash home, getting all excited for sweets.

"When she took us for hot chocolate she used to tell people it was our birthday so we would get extra cream on top, she was a lot of fun."

"She was so special."

Millie with Denise (Image: Submitted)

Daisey Osman, another of her granddaughters, has been organising fundraising events over the last few days for Alzheimer's, even before Denise's passing.

On the day of her death, Daisey had pre-organised a five-mile walk around Ipswich, as well as a raffle and pub quiz, which was held at Curve Bar.

Daisey said: "It was absolutely fantastic.

Daisey with the AXA Ipswich team raising money for Alzheimer's Society (Image: Submitted)

"It was packed.

"It was such a poignant evening, and her passing made it all the more special that we were doing it for her.

"People were emotional, but there was laughing and good times as well.

Denise with her husband, Cliff (Image: Submitted)

"She was my best friend. We were very close when I was young.

"Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my nan and grandad and she was like the one that kept everyone going, carrying everyone.

"She was an amazing lady, she had an effect on everyone who knew her with her infectious energy.

Denise with her daughter Tracy (right) and their friends Lauren and Kirsty (Image: Submitted)

"You couldn't not like her, as soon as she opened her mouth she had everyone laughing."

Daisey, who works at AXA Insurance in Ipswich, has also held a cake sale for her colleagues at work.

So far, the total stands at around £3,000 for the Alzheimer's Society.

A link to the JustGiving page can be found here.

Denise Billington (Image: Submitted)