Tributes paid following death of mum-of-eight from Cirencester

Nicola Kilby had Wegener’s Granulomatosis, a rare blood vessel disease also known as GPA. 

She is survived by husband Kevin and children Sophie, Kieran, Jayden, Lottie-Mai, Beth, Kim, Jess and Marley.

Nicola and Kevin featured in the Standard in 2012 after they won a competition to have their wedding venue paid for. 

In more recent years, Jess and Beth have acted as Nikki's full time carers.

"Nikki appreciated how they gave up five-six years of their life to look after their mum," said Kevin.

"She would sit for hours doing Lottie's and Jessica's hair and make up. That was Nikki's way of saying thank you to her daughters. 

"Beth she would sit with mum and watch movies." 

The family are now raising money for Vasculitis UK, to raise awareness of the condition. 

"It was always something my mum wanted to do but her health occupied her, it wasn't something she was able to fulfill," said son Kieran Lane, 25.

"Until mum became ill I hadn't heard of the disease. When I told people about it it was clear nobody knew what it was. 

"That was the first time I ever saw it mentioned on any kind of platform."

Kieran set up a GoFundMe page with an initial target of £500 - a small amount of which would go towards Nicola's funeral with the rest going to support Vasculitis UK. However, £4,000 has so far been raised. 

Nicola Kilby

"I thought they'll be a few people who'd chip in but we're not going to hit it," said Kieran.

"It's gone everywhere. I'm dumbfounded. I can't express how amazing and humbling it is."

He hopes Nicola's story will raise awareness of vasculitis diseases.

"With autoimmune diseases no symptoms are going to be the same, even the slightest thing is worth getting checked out," said Kieran. 

"She thought she had a sinus infection.

"The peak of it happened during Covid so it couldn't have been timed any worse. 

"It's a horrendous disease." 

Nicola lived in the Cirencester area her whole life, moving from the village of Woodmancote to the Beeches 10 years ago.

"My mum was like no other," said Kieran.

Nicola and Kieran

"She was full of life and had an undying love for her children. 

"She was adored by all who came into contact with her. She was a best friend to me and my other siblings. 

"It's a very big void to fill. We are lost without her. 

"We are not going to stop raising awareness and money for this to get more known."

Kieran wanted to thank everyone who has donated, as well as his siblings who took care of Nicola before she died.

You can donate at bit.ly/3phDIMe

Nicola's funeral is at Siddington parish church at 2.30pm on Friday, August 26. 
Anyone who knew her welcome to come and celebrate her life.

"I would like to say a massive thank you to Cowley and Son Funeral Directors," said Kevin.

"If it wasn't for Robert and his team I don't think me or my family could have done this, they helped and pointed us in the right direction to plan a funeral.

"I would like to thank Robert for giving Nikki the send off that she deserves."