A dance teacher who suffered from a debilitating form of cancer is finally ‘dancing again in heaven’.

Karen Lynch, 49, who taught Latin, ballroom and line dancing at Mykita Dance School and featured in the Express in March last year, died at home on Rugby Drive on Thursday, January 10.

Her fiance Simon Edelstein, of Rugby Drive, who was hoping to marry Karen this year, said: “She was a wonderful dancer and it was always a part of her life.

“That was what she loved the most.

“I’m very spiritual and I believe I can still talk to her and she can talk to me, but it’s the physical presence I’m missing, I want her to just walk out of the kitchen or phone me but she’s not here.

“I know she’s dancing in heaven.”

Former Bollinbrook Primary School pupil Karen, who worked as a travel agent for Travel By Design in Alderley Edge, was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer in October 2011 and a tumour in her spine caused her neck to break.

She died following a heart attack in the early hours of the morning, a complication caused by her illness.

Simon said: “No one knew it was going to happen, it was a massive shock.

“We weren’t prepared.

“Sadly we didn’t get married because Karen wanted to be well enough, she didn’t want to go down the aisle in a wheelchair.

“Everyone thought she was getting better but then the cancer came back stronger.

“We did get a week away in Lanzarote in November, we had a lovely, relaxing time, it was very special.”

He added: “I’d like to thank everybody who’s taken part in Karen’s treatment and care. The East Cheshire Hospice, the Christie, especially the Macmillan nurses and our doctor Dr Earles, they have all been fantastic.

“We want everybody who knew here to come to the funeral, we don’t think anyone should stay away, and we’re asking everyone to wear a bit of ‘bling’ because that’s what she liked – she was a magpie for sparkles.”

Karen’s funeral will be on  Monday, January 21, at the United Reformed Church, Park Green, Macclesfield.  All are welcome.There will be a private committal at Macclesfield Cemetery followed by a reception for friends and family at Mykita Dance Studio.