HEARTFELT tributes have poured in for a caring 15-year-old girl from Northop Hall who has died after battling leukaemia.
Robyn Louise Ellson was in remission but died following a reaction to her maintenance tablets.
The Hawarden High School student was diagnosed with cancer in August 2012 and battled through gruelling rounds of chemotherapy before being told she was in remission in October.
She continued with treatment but a reaction to her medication made her seriously ill and she died on January 19.
Her parents, Debbie and Garry Ellson, have been overwhelmed by a mountain of cards and letters from classmates paying tribute to a loyal, supportive and caring friend.
“To us she was special because she was our daughter, any parent would say that, but we never realised just how many lives she touched,” said Mrs Ellson, a social worker for Wrexham Council’s fostering department.
A card from a teacher described Robyn as a ‘bright, determined, remarkable young lady’.
She attended Wepre Rangers First Group in Connah’s Quay where she also volunteered with Rainbows.
Robyn was also a member of the Explorers at Buckley Bistre, attended weekly drama workshops at Clwyd Theatr Cymru and took flute lessons in Garden City.
Mrs Ellson said Robyn was worshiped by her brothers Daniel, 25, and Stephen, 22, and was a huge fan of One Direction, Olly Murs and Take That.
Robyn’s grandmother, June Griffiths, said: “She was marvellous. She used to tell me off for being stupid. She had a wicked sense of humour.
“If you were feeling down in the dumps she would say ‘what’s the matter? Smile’.”
Deputy head teacher at Hawarden High, Paul Ellis, spoke of the shock and sadness that had hit so many of her peers.
He said: “The whole school is absolutely devastated by what has happened, especially as we thought the signs were more positive and her classmates were excited about welcoming her back to school.”
He remembered Robyn completing her Duke of Edinburgh exhibition in July, when unbeknown to her she had leukaemia.
Her mother said working hard was in Robyn’s nature and she was serious about her studies.
“When she was told she had leukaemia her first words were ‘am I going to die?’ and her second words were ‘what about school?’,” said Mr Ellson.
He added: “This was her year. It was her 16th birthday, her exams, her prom. She was so looking forward to prom.
“She was going to Deeside College and she wanted to be a primary school teacher, and she would have done it.”
Dozens more messages of love and sadness poured in on Robyn’s facebook page.
“Somebody had written on facebook they only knew her for two weeks but she remembered her smile,” said Mrs Ellson.
“We’ve had so many people tell us about her smile. It’s very powerful stuff from very young people.
“We are overwhelmed by the messages. They have been so touching.”
Mrs Ellson said: “The school has been outstanding. So has the community and our friends and family.
“This village is a very, very caring village.
“Her friends visited her in the intensive care unit and oncology.
“They have gone through the journey with her and she knew that.”
Robyn’s funeral will be held at St Ethelwold’s Church in Shotton on Monday at 10.30am, followed by burial at Hawarden cemetery.
One Direction’s Little Things and That’s What Makes You Beautiful, and Take That’s Rule the World, will be played at the service.
Family flowers only are requested and donations can be made to Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.