Gift of life

Lisa Jayne Bowden

Organ donor Lisa’s tragic death at 39 gives hope to six sick people

THE family of a Failsworth grandmother who died suddenly on New Year’s Day turned heartbreak to hope by donating her organs and saving six lives.

Lisa Jane Bowden (39) suffered a brain haemorrhage at her home in Marlborough Drive.

Paul Weir, her partner of 22 years, and sons Michael and Paul-Andrew, made the decision to turn her life-support machine off after doctors said there was nothing more they could do.

Lisa, a grandmother of five, had signed the organ donor register so Paul, Michael and Paul-Andrew gave their consent for doctors to use everything except her eyes, skin and bones.

Paul, who is battling stomach cancer, said: “Lisa was a strong believer in the afterlife so I wanted her to keep her eyes so she can see but she would have wanted as many people as possible to benefit from her organs.

“She was a fantastic woman who would do anything for anyone so it seems fitting that she continued to be so giving after her death.

“Her kidneys, heart and liver have already been donated and doctors said six lives have been saved so far because of Lisa. They have also taken her stem cells for research and training.

“It comforts me to know that even though I am really sad at the moment, there are six happy families out there because of what Lisa has done.

“I would urge everyone to sign the register to help people who really need it.”

The couple, who ran the pub Weavers Answer in Shaw from 1999 to 2004, were planning to marry in November and had already arranged to spend their honeymoon in Goa.

Paul (44) said: “We had a great relationship. We had just had the perfect Christmas together and I am holding on to the happy memories.

“Lisa was the one who held the family together and would always be arranging things for us all to do.

“She was working full-time at a betting shop in Hollins Road as well as looking after me but nothing was ever too much trouble for her.

“She had so many friends and no-one can believe that she’s gone. It’s almost impossible to take in because it happened so suddenly.

“The doctors told me there was no way of predicting what happened to Lisa and they said they she wouldn’t have known anything about it and she wouldn’t have suffered in any way. That makes me feel a lot better and gives comfort to me and the boys.

“We have to concentrate on pulling together and supporting each other now as Lisa would have wanted us all to stay strong.”

Lisa’s funeral will take place tomorrow at Oldham Crematorium at 3.30pm.