In memory of Sharon Dwyer - For Tegan and Shaun x

I can’t believe I am writing this but tragically last week, Sharon, my beautiful, energetic, intelligent, amazing and kind-hearted sister-in-law and friend passed away due to a catastrophic brain injury. It was sudden and without warning.

Sharon Dwyer nee Southworth was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, auntie, friend and more. She was the backbone and beating heart of her family and friends. Most importantly, to her gorgeous children, Tegan and Shaun (and doggy Milo), she was their whole world. She was the light that lit their souls, the sun to their moon and now everything feels darker.

If you didn't know her, Sharon was a trailblazer - being one of the first few female firefighters to ever join the London Fire Brigade and she dedicated 30 years of her life to that profession. It was a career she was incredibly proud of and one that brought immense pride to all of us.

Having retired in 2019, she continued to help with training the Cadets and when Covid 19 began, without hesitation, she went back and assisted in any way she could. That was the type of person she was. If she could be a support or aid in any way, she would. Whether she had too much on or not and without complaint, she would find the time. Sharon went on to start working as a fire risk assessor and was really enjoying this role, looking to start up her own company one day.

In 2020 she was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroendocrine cancer but she remained strong and extremely positive about her outcome. After major surgery in April 2021 (which she tackled like the boss she was), she was delighted to be given what she called “the stable label” in July this year. She was over the moon about it.

A fierce advocator, she often fought to get to the truth. Most recently, after hours of her own research and endless emails/calls to medical professionals - she managed to get to the bottom of one of her loved one's health issues and thankfully now the medical team knows what is actually going on and a treatment plan is in place. She never gave up!

Sharon was as loyal as they come and had a great sense of humour, with a giant heart full of unconditional love for her kids, her nieces, nephews and everyone she cared about.

There were plans and dreams to be fulfilled and so many hopes for the future. I had never seen her look so content and happy as she was in the last 9 years or so. Her son Shaun had just absolutely hit his GCSE results out of the park and Tegan had just completed her 1st year at Uni.

To say Sharon was full of pride over her two kids would be a massive understatement. Sharon was the kind of mother you wish you could have had and I know I will never match up to her effortless standards and brilliance, but I sure have learned some lessons.

This is why her being taken so cruelly, after everything she has been through and all that she had achieved, makes it even more devastating for us all.

My niece and nephew are brave, inquisitive, funny, smart, strong and caring young adults - they are a credit to their Mum and a role model to my two young children.

Our hearts are breaking knowing the challenges Tegan and Shaun are now having to endure.

We can’t bring Sharon back, all we can do is be there for her children in every way she would have wanted us to be and to help them achieve everything she knew they were capable of.

This fund has been set up to relieve some of the financial burdens that no 16 or 19-year-old should have to worry about. Our hope is to be able to help out with any money issues that may arise, so they can concentrate on grieving and find a way to rebuild their lives. 

We want them to be able to continue their education, pay their phone bills, get some counseling if needed, maybe even live out some of Sharon’s bucket list wishes. Finally and most importantly, we want them to be able to stay in the home their Mum worked so hard to make a safe haven for them so that they can feel as secure as possible at a time of change and unimaginable suffering. This is our priority.

We know times are hard for everyone at the moment, so any amount you could donate, however small, would be amazingly giving. I know Sharon would have been completely overwhelmed by your generosity and kindness. Her children were everything to her.

We will always look out for Tegan and Shaun and we will find a way through the heartache to unearth a new way of living. It won’t be easy but together we will make it possible.

Our lives, particularly Tegan and Shaun’s will never be the same again, but we have to hope that one day, the light will find a way to return so that they and we can shine brightly again in her memory. 

Thank you all so much.

Nicola and family xx