The heartbroken family of a teenager who died just months after getting the all-clear from cancer have paid tribute to a ‘truly special and inspirational’ young woman.

Jessica Versey, 19, made headlines in The Chronicle last year when her 10-year-old sister Maisy donated her bone marrow in a bid to cure the former Queen’s Park High School student of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

The rare stem cell transplant last October was a success and Jessica, of Hatton Road, Blacon was thrilled when doctors declared her ‘cancer free’ just in time for Christmas , telling The Chronicle she was ‘one lucky girl’.

She used her experience to inspire other cancer sufferers to fight the disease and constantly tried to support and raise awareness of the plight facing family members dealing with a loved one’s cancer battle.

But in a cruel twist of fate, after contracting an infection in her chest and lungs, not related to her previous condition, brave Jessica passed away this week, leaving her family and friends heartbroken.

Her older brother Sean told The Chronicle it was ‘impossible to put into words’ how much Jessica was loved by all who knew her.

“Jess was loved by us all and nothing was more important to her than her family,” he said.

Always smiling

“Jess lived every day with a smile and always put a smile on our faces. She was truly special and was an inspiration; she was more than a sister, she was my best friend and we were always there for one another. Jess also had a special relationship with my parents, she was a precious daughter.”

Sean explained: “We would like to emphasise that Jess passed away from an infection, she did not pass away from cancer, she beat cancer and she inspired others to fight and stand against it.

“The family can’t emphasise enough the support and respect shown by the Blacon community. There are too many people to mention but they know who they are and they have touched the family’s lives,” he added.

Jessica was always vocal about her gratitude to younger sister Maisy, whose selfless actions earned her the Young Person of the Year award at the 2014 Trinity Mirror Scottish Power Your Champions Awards .

At the time, the teenager described her sister as ‘the most amazing little girl I’ve ever met’, telling The Chronicle: “Maisy always used to say how exciting it would be to be able to help me and when we found out she was a match, I was in hospital so I rang her and told her the news. I honestly wish I could have recorded it, as she squealed down the phone and kept shouting and screaming with excitement.

“Then she started crying and my dad had to take the phone off her; it was a very special moment. Once she settled down she sent me a beautiful text saying how happy she was to be a match and how much she loved me.”

Jessica added: “Her understanding of the situation and how she takes it in her stride is amazing - I couldn’t be more proud.”

Jessica Versey and her sister Maisy

Social media has been flooded with tributes to Jessica, with hundreds of people writing how special she was to them.

One wrote: “You were the strongest bravest girl I’ve ever known. Sleep tight angel, you’re going to be missed by all who knew you, loved you and read your posts. Such a beautiful girl taken too soon but (you) didn’t go without a fight.”

Another said: “The world is such a cruel place, they only take the best, you were such an inspiration. You had positive thoughts all the way through, you will never be forgotten.”

One tribute simply said: “You’re free now, sleep tight queen.”