'Little angel' dies aged 17

10:00pm Friday 21st March 2008

Comments (5)   Have your say »

A TEENAGER called a 'little angel' by her parents has died after losing her battle with a rare disease.

Victoria Cowpe's family, who run Huntley's ice- cream and farm shop in Samlesbury, have been left devastated by the death of a princess who would melt you with her eyes'.

Friends described her as a remarkable person who had a positive impact on everyone she met.

Vicky, as she was known, died on Monday aged 17.

As a three-year-old she was diagnosed with Rett's Syndrome, a debilitating disease that leaves sufferers profoundly disabled.

Dad Eddie said part of the Huntley's complex in Whalley Road, Samlesbury, would be re-named in her honour.

Eddie said: "Vicky was our angel, our princess. She was so good looking and would melt you with her eyes.

"We had been preparing ourselves for this for the last 14 years but it doesn't make things any easier.

"She was a dear little angel who has gone to play with all of the other angels in heaven."

Vicky, who lived in Samlesbury with her family, leaves father Eddie, mother Kate and brothers Nicholas and Richard.

Eddie, whose firm makes the popular Huntley's ice cream, said: "My wife has been a rock ever since Vicky was diagnosed and we have all been left incredibly upset by what has happened."

He said that the family was now planning a funeral which will take place on Wednesday at St Leonard's Church in Samlesbury.

Rett's Syndrome, which has no cure, meant that she developed normally until she was around two-years-old.

But then she entered a period of regression, losing speech and motor skills. She needed assistance with every aspect of daily living.

She received treatment and respite care at Derian House Children's Hospice in Astley Village, and the Maplewood House respite facility in Bamber Bridge. She went to the Coppice special school in Bamber Bridge.

Vicky was active in campaigning for Maplewood House to remain open when it was earmarked for closure by Lancashire County Council two years ago as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

Tracey Morris, the manager at Maplewood, said: "Vicky and her family were very proactive in helping to keep us open.

"They were so passionate about the work that we do here.

"Everyone at Maplewood is very upset about Vicky, as poorly as she was we never expected this to happen now.

"Vicky had a positive impact on everyone she met. She made people smile.

"She had a severe disability but she could always manage to communicate with people. She was a remarkable young lady."

Susie Poppitt, fundraising manager at Derian House, said Vicky and her family were part of the Derian House family.

She said: "Vicky was just a lovely young woman and it was always a delight to see her.

"She will be missed greatly by all who knew her."

After three months of campaigning the decision to close Maplewood was reversed by the county council.

Eddie said he wanted to highlight the good work that was done by both Derian House and Maplewood.

And he said any donations in Vicky's honour should be made to Derian House.

Less than two per cent of Derian's funding comes from official sources and bosses rely on donations to meet their annual financial target of £1.45 million.