The step-father of Tess Duffy has paid tribute to the “beautiful” and “motivated” Ipswich woman, one year after her death at the age of 24.

Ipswich Star: Tess Duffy with her step-father Patrick on her 18th birthday. Picture: PATRICK DUFFYTess Duffy with her step-father Patrick on her 18th birthday. Picture: PATRICK DUFFY (Image: Archant)

Patrick Duffy had known Tess, who lost her battle with cancer in June 2016, since she was six months old, and treated her as his own daughter.

Describing Tess, Mr Duffy said: “She was a beautiful girl. Very determined to do things that she wanted to do. Even after her diagnosis she carried on and got her degree.”

Mr Duffy, 57, is from Northern Ireland and he said Tess had “strong connections” with his home city of Derry, and was “very close” to her Irish grandparents, Kathleen and Walter Duffy.

“Everyone here loved her,” he added. “She made friends wherever she went to. She wasn’t one for not having a friend. She loved coming here for her holidays.”

Ipswich Star: Walter and Kathleen Duffy. Picture: PATRICK DUFFYWalter and Kathleen Duffy. Picture: PATRICK DUFFY (Image: Archant)

Mr Duffy said 2016 was a difficult year for his 81-year-old mother Kathleen – who Tess called “Nanny Kate” - as she lost her granddaughter, husband and last brother all within a six-month period.

Tess attended Ipswich High School for Girls and Northgate Sixth Form.