Mum, 39, collapses and dies while giving eulogy during father-in-law's funeral

23 January 2024 , 13:10

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Mother-of-three Sarah Healey had a cardiac arrest during her eulogy to her children's grandfather (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)

A mum-of-three collapsed and died while giving a eulogy during her father-in-law's funeral.

Sarah Healey had a suspected cardiac arrest during her eulogy to her children's grandfather. Her devastated family said life will "never be the same" and her death has been a "terrible blow" to them all. The 39-year-old nurse from Staines, Surrey, went to the funeral with her grieving partner, James West, and three children aged 16, 7, and 6.

But tragedy struck the family for a second time as she spoke in the service for father-in-law Roy West, 81. The mum suddenly became ill and is believed to have had a cardiac arrest.

Mother-of-three Sarah Healey, with her father in law Roy West suffered a cardiac arrest during her eulogy to her children's grandfather (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Sarah's mum Gladys Healey, of Flintshire, said: “Sarah was one of those who spoke in tribute to the father of James. However, Sarah suddenly fell to the ground during her eulogy. It seems that Sarah had suffered an attack of arrhythmia or a cardiac arrest. She had no history of any heart trouble and we we're all devastated by her sudden death."

Sarah with husband James (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Her mum, father David, and sister Trisha had travelled 200 miles from Sarah's hometown of Flint to Slough Crematorium for the service in November. She said: “It was a terrible blow to our family. It was a blow to her partner, who had just lost his own father. It was a blow to the three young children left behind and it was a blow to Dave, I and Sarah’s younger sister, Trisha, who was at the ceremony with us.”

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Sarah had gone to the funeral with her grieving partner James West, and three children aged 16, 7 and 6 (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Sarah was a registered nurse and a highly qualified prescriber who had moved on to specialise in oncology and the treatment of cancer patients. The family added that she was also developing her own aesthetics business and had a significant clientele at her clinic, Sarah Healey Aesthetics, at Thames Valley Athletics Centre in Eton, Windsor. Her sister, Trisha Healey, said: “Losing my older and only sister has been the hardest thing I have ever experienced.

Sarah's family are devastated by her sudden death (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Sarah was speaking about her father in law Roy West when she collapsed (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

"I spoke to her daily and we had an extremely close bond that only sisters will experience. Life will never be the same but I find planning things with friends, talking and crying when you need to with no shame has helped." Keen gardener Roy died from cancer in October.

Sarah's family said life will 'never be the same' and her death has been a 'terrible blow' to them all. (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Sarah’s father, Dave Healey added that he's thrown himself into work and read a "great deal on the sudden loss of a loved one and the grieving process". He continued: "One of the most valuable things I have learned is that, rather than falling into absolute despair, you can try to do something worthwhile in memory of the loved one. I think it is important advice.”

Graeme Murray