IN 2023, we sadly lost some of the most well-loved people in our communities.
Here, we remember some of the people who are gone but never forgotten.
Kelly Pendry
The 42-year-old mum from Ewloe, Flintshire bravely fought uterine leiomyosarcoma which had been misdiagnosed as period pain years earlier. Kelly sought to raise awareness of the cancer, and urged women with similar symptoms to demand further investigations. She sadly died earlier this month.
Paying tribute, her husband, Michael, described her as an "incredible mum" who "wanted to use her story to make a change".
Margaret Williams MBE
The founder of North Wales Superkids, she devoted her life to helping families in need. The organisation started by arranging pantomime trips to Theatr Clwyd, before moving on to the Christmas Toy Appeal which is now so widely known and relied on by families across the region.
Margaret, from Flint, sadly died in October - aged 74.
Kai Davies
The Mostyn community was left heartbroken following the death of 22-year-old. Kai loved football and having played for Holywell Town FC throughout his youth, he had recently started playing for Greenfield FC where he made an incredible impact on the club and community.
Bailey Jones
The 20-year-old, from Cefn Mawr, was known for his undying love of Wrexham AFC, following the Reds home and away and being a hugely popular member of the club's fanbase. His tragic death in September left many fans and members of the community heartbroken as tributes poured in.
Mary Beatrice Clarke
The 73-year-old, known affectionately as Bea, tragically died after collapsing at Sainsbury's in Mynydd Isa in June. Bea was a community stalwart and was a very well-known and loved figure in Mynydd Isa. "She'll be very sadly missed and leaves a big hole in the community," her daughter Katherine said.
Pauline Roberts
Described as a "Buckley legend" and "like a mum to all' who knew her", the 63-year-old sadly died in May. Her death left a huge hole in the Buckley community, where she was so well-known and loved.
Amy-Bronwen Ellis
The 43-year-old, from Broughton, bravely battled anorexia from a young age before her sad passing earlier this year. She touched the lives of thousands of people across the globe, amassing a huge following on TikTok - where she profiled her battle with the eating disorder and sought to help others going through it. Her account, SavingAmy, has over 140,000 followers.
After her death was announced on her TikTok account, there was a huge outpouring of grief as thousands of people commented passing on their heartfelt condolences.
Aaron Wharton
The seven-year-old, from Buckley, lost his brave battle with a brain tumour earlier this year. In his short life, Aaron touched the hearts of many - and his story reached Wrexham AFC's star co-owner Ryan Reynolds. His parents have raised tens of thousands towards brain tumour research in his memory.
David Samuel
The 20-year-old, from Rhosnesni, tragically died suddenly in March. He is said to have been a "beautiful person, inside and out". "He lit up every room he was in, he'd give everyone the biggest bear hug you'd ever had. He'd make time for everyone," his mum Tracy said in tribute.
Ben Thomas
The 24-year-old from Flintshire was tragically found dead at the HMS Raleigh training base in Cornwall, in January 2023 - a week after fulfilling his dream of joining the Navy. His mother and North Wales Senedd Member, Carolyn Thomas, described him as an "amazing" and "kind" man.
She said in a tribute: "Ben was a highly intelligent, skilled and brilliant young man, full of life, determination and focus, most thoughtful and considerate of others."
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