Sister's tribute to brave Mark

A GRIEVING sister today paid tribute to her fun-loving brother who experienced his lifelong dream after defying the odds time and time again.

Mark Woods was told by doctors on three occasions that he had just two weeks to live, firstly when he was diagnosed with bowel and stomach cancer in September 2005, but each time he outlived the prognosis.

In January his sister, Dawn Sudeene, contacted The Evening Star and arranged for 42-year-old Mark to visit BBC Radio Suffolk presenter and Star columnist Stephen Foster because he had always been addicted to the radio.

But on April 25 Mr Woods, who suffered from severe mental health problems which limited his development to that of a four or five-year-old, died at his sister's home in Marlow Road, Ipswich.

Mrs Sudeene, 34, said: “There were three times we got told he had two weeks but he kept on beating the odds.

“He didn't understand cancer and he just thought he felt better and didn't want to die.

“I'm so pleased he lived for the trip to Radio Suffolk because he enjoyed it so much.

“It was wonderful for him and he talked about it afterwards.

“He got to listen to the jingles and played a few tunes which he loved so much.”

Mrs Sudeene, a mum-of-three, said she was also pleased Mr Woods was now at peace after a traumatic last few weeks where he was in a considerable amount of pain.

She added: “He didn't want to go and he was fighting to the very end - you could see it on his face.

“I feel sad now because he was such a laugh and never once moaned or cried. He was so brave.

“I'll miss him and the house will seem weird without him and his mischief.”

A funeral service will be held for Mark Woods at Ipswich Crematorium on May 11 at 11am.

Donations should be made to St Elizabeth Hospice.

Would you like to pay tribute to Mark Woods? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.