What a woman...farewell to courageous, compassionate, charismatic, loving, glamorous and sincere mum Sharon
53-YEAR-OLD DIED UNEXPECTEDLY 3 YEARS AFTER USUALLY FATAL HEART-RELATED EVENT
HUNDREDS of people packed into Derby Cathedral to celebrate the life of Derby mum Sharon Sewell who died unexpectedly last month – three years after surviving a rare sudden aortic dissection, where the inner layer of the main artery, the aorta, is torn.
Sadly, Sharon, 53, died unexpectedly on March 15, after contracting an infection, which turned to sepsis and resulted in septic shock.
During yesterday’s 90-minute service, friends and family paid tribute to the Derby City Council worker, fundraiser and JP (justice of the peace).
The outpouring of love for Sharon was all-too obvious with the tears that flowed during speeches and the warm rounds of applause that greeted each eulogy. The service was also filled with music including Tears In Heaven by Sounds of Blackness as the coffin was carried in.
There was also The Goodness of God by CeCe Winnans, which accompanied a photo presentation of Sharon through her life with family and friends,
Where You Are, originally by Josh Groban, sung live by Tony Luke, and two hymns – All Things Bright and Beautiful and How Great Thou Art.
The funeral procession left Derby Cathedral to the sound of Let It Go by Le’Andria Johnson.
Much of the service was devoted to memories of Sharon before she was left paralysed in January 2021 following the aortic episode, including from two of her sisters, Stacia and Lyndsey, who spoke of their pride in her and said they “miss her every minute of every day”.
They also had a message from son Tate, 13, which said: “She was a beacon of love and guidance and a source of unwavering support. She always inspired me to be a good person. She taught me to be the best that I can.”
Another tribute was paid by lifelong friend Susan, who said: “She was courageous, compassionate, charismatic, loving, glamorous, sincere – what a woman.
“She was the sister I never had and we were born just five days apart and lived in neighbouring streets. We shared everything. Sharon always wanted the best for everyone.
“Knowing Sharon was a rare and precious gift and she has left an indelible mark on the world. Her life was short but very sweet. She was very brave during the last three years and her disability did not define her.”
Derby City Council leader Councillor Baggy Shanker, who had known Sharon since 2008 when he was aspiring to be a councillor in Sinfin, where Sharon worked for the council, also paid tribute to her.
He said: “The size of today’s congregation just demonstrates the sheer amount of respect, love, friendship and support Sharon has from everyone who knew her.
“An infectious, trusting, loyal personality who treated everyone respectfully and always went above and beyond to help anyone with anything she could. Sharon had this knack, driven by that amazing personality to get everyone, and I mean everyone, absolutely behind the cause.
“No-one was surprised how she battled and battled and battled. All those weeks and months in various hospitals and rehab. Her determination to get home and live the best life she could was immense.
“Despite all these issues ,she still had that beaming smile from ear to ear and still managed to look so sharp. The fundraising team we formed never had to be asked twice to do anything to help. Everyone involved had this common purpose to do whatever we could to help this amazing woman.
“Life can be so cruel and in this case absolutely is. We all must play our part in keeping her glorious personality and spirit alive.”
Also speaking was friend Toni Leatherland, who first met Sharon in 1987 and whose children have grown up together. She said: “Sharon believed that no barrier could not be overcome and she drew together the people of Derby with her fundraising and initiatives.
“It took a lot of doing to persuade her to allow people to fundraise for her and she was overwhelmed by their generosity. She was also overwhelmed when she heard that people had prayed for her and felt blessed. Her life will positively influence people for generations to come.”
More than £100,00 was raised which was used to adapt a house to enable Sharon to live a more normal life. The service also paid tribute to the love and care that Sharon’s husband, Tony, had given her both before and during her illness.
The service was conducted by Pastor Patrick Dawkins after a welcome to the cathedral from the Rev Canon Carla Vicencio Prior.
Afterwards, many of the congregation followed the hearse as it made its way to Nottingham Road cemetery, where Sharon was laid to rest.
Donations in memory of Sharon were requested for the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust, which Sharon had become an ambassador for, on www.tadct.orgin-memory, and also Derby West Indian Community Association.