Crowdfunder for Rhyl grandmother who died of cancer died months after receiving all clear

Despite receiving the all clear in October, after more than a year battling cancer, Sharon Owens died aged 53 in the early hours of Sunday, January 5.

In addition to a Crowdfunding campaign, which has raised more than £500, a fundraising event will take place at the Front Room, Rhyl on Saturday, February 1.

Sharon Owens had received the all clear in October 2019

Louise Grace, Sharon's daughter-in-law, said: "We are raising money to give Sharon Owens the send off she truly deserves. As a strong woman who has raised eight children, she deserves the world and much more than we are able to give her.

"We’re a hard working family but like most people we work to cover our bills and childcare and don't have thousands set aside to cover the cost of a funeral and all that goes with it.

"We would be forever grateful for any donations to help us give her a meaningful send off."

Sharon was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma - a form of cancer affecting her bile duct - in January 2018.

After a period of chemotherapy and surgery - which included removing the head of her pancreas, the first part of her small intestine, part of the bile duct and part of the stomach - in order to remove all of the cancer, she was found to be in remission in October 2019.

Unfortunately, on the December 18 she was told out of the blue that she had just a few weeks left to live.

Mrs Grace added: "Three months later, after several hospital trips, scans and blood tests, when she was so ill she could no longer keep anything down a week before Christmas, the doctors gave the news that the cancer was back and had spread to her liver and stomach.

"The family are finding it difficult as there was such a little time between getting the all clear and it supposedly coming back and spreading.

"The father of her three youngest children was also diagnosed with cancer - Hodgkin Lymphoma - on January 2, just three days before she died but we decided not to tell her as not to cause her more upset."

Sharon - who also has 11 grand children, was well known in the Rhyl area and is described as "kind hearted, caring and selfless".

During her final moments in Glan Clwyd Hospital, she was joined by her children who travelled from Lancashire, Manchester and South Wales and spend about a week with her, sleeping on chairs and the floor of her ward. She was also able to visited home on Christmas day with help from volunteers at the hospital.

Mrs Grace said: "She was always doing things for other people and putting them first. she didn’t have a lot but she gave a lot.

"She loved to bake and would make everything from scratch and was very crafty, knitting away when anyone has a baby and always making beautiful dresses and tutus for her grandchildren.

"She had a fantastic personality and sense of humour, she’s even requested that we play Another One Bites the Dust by Queen, at her funeral."

On Saturday, February 1 Sharon's friend Cheryl Ellison will host a memorial fundraiser at the Front Room, on Rhyl High Street, featuring DJP Discos and a live act which is to be determined.

Ms Ellison said: "Sharon was a lovely and warm hearted lady that gave what she could even when she didn’t have much.

"She was a warrior and a true inspiration. It’s very important to everyone that knew her to honour the selfless lady she was."

Tickets are £7 on the door, or £5 in advance available by contacting Ms Ellison on Facebook.

Sharon's funeral takes place at St Thomas's Church, Rhyl, on Monday, January 27 at 1pm.

To donate to the crowdfunding campaign, click here.