CHILDHOOD sweethearts Claire and Gareth Allen were enjoying a new life in Switzerland when Claire started to get headaches.

Weeks later the 29-yearold was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour.

And three months after first feeling unwell, she died — deteriorating so quickly the couple, who were born and brought up in Bolton, never got the chance to say goodbye to each other.

Gareth, who met Claire while they were pupils at Bolton School, said: “We were childhood sweethearts and I’ve never known being an adult without her. I don’t know what I’m going to do.

“I’m devastated and it’s been such a shock. She was always smiling andhappy and was the best wife in the world. Everything was going right for her and us.

“We loved cooking, travelling and the outdoors and my best memories are of being in the Lake District where we dreamed of living.”

They had been together since they were 16, marrying in Bolton in 2005 and living in London before Gareth, also aged 29, moved to Zurich 18 months ago to work for a Swiss bank.

At the end of last year, Claire, who grew up in Over Hulton and was an accountant, joined him.

But on February 9 this year she began complaining of headaches.

Two weeks later, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour and the next day her condition deteriorated, requiring an emergency operation, from which she never recovered.

Doctors said there was nothing more they could do because she had glioblastoma, a very aggressive tumour.

Claire was left unable to speak, eat or move and was in University Hospital Zurich for six weeks, before being moved to a Swiss hospice.

Gareth was by her side for two months, spending 24 hours a day with her towards the end.

Claire died in his arms in the early hours of May 9.

He said: “The worst thing is that we never got the chance to talk about it—we had one night but it had not sunk in.

“It was so difficult not being able to talk to her after speaking every day for 13 years. I just told her I loved her and not to worry and I hope she heard.”

Claire was an only child and leaves her parents, Judith and William Garside, aged 62 and 63, of Over Hulton.

The funeral took place at St Paul’s Church, Astley Bridge, on Saturday.

The family has asked for donations to go to Brain Tumour Research via braintumour research.org.

The family are keen to raise awareness of brain tumours and the lack of funding for research.

Donations and inquiries to Howarth’s Funeral Service on 01204 309609.