A MOTHER who became an ambassador for a charity beauty service as she battled cancer has died the day before her 50th birthday.

Sue Robb died peacefully on Monday (July 7) evening, surrounded by her family.

She had been diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago, followed by ovarian cancer in 2011.

Her husband Graham, a former Parliamentary candidate and the founder of Darlington-based public relations company Recognition, described his wife as 'an outstanding person of beauty, integrity and intelligence'.

Born in Wiltshire, she moved to the North-East as a child and spent her early years in County Durham and Middlesbrough.

Her first professional job was in Darlington, where she worked for the Memorial Hospital and ran the St Augustine’s day unit in the town.

She later worked at Sedgefield Community Hospital’s Josephine Rutter Centre and Middlesbrough social services.

Her final job was at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where she managed the integrated occupational therapy service.

During her illness, she became an ambassador for the cancer support charity Look Good Feel Good, which supports women through the demoralising impact of appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.

The couple married in 1984 and have two grown-up daughters, Jessica and Helen.

In her spare time, Mrs Robb campaigned hard for cancer charities, raising money for Ovarian Cancer and the Ileostomy Association.

Mr Robb said: “Sue and I had one of life’s great partnerships. She was an outstanding person of beauty, integrity and intelligence.

"She had love and kindness towards so many people, especially her family and her patients.

"In professional work she never forgot the need to care for people and was a fierce defender of the highest standards.

“At home she was the guiding light for two wonderful children and was my life partner for 34 years; we would have been married 30 years this September and she died the day before her 50th birthday.

“She coped with cancer so well to the very end, undergoing years of medical interventions.

"Her grace, courage and dignity were present in abundance during her final days.

"Her family will miss her terribly; her death will leave a massive void in our lives.”

Mrs Robb's funeral will take place on July 16, at 2pm, at St Cuthbert's Church, in Darlington.

Flowers and cards are welcome.