On Sunday 12th June 2016, a beautiful light went out in the world when my beloved sister Sharon succumbed to depression and took her own life at the age of 48.

As anyone who ever met her will know, Sharon was a truly incredible person, with an infectious zest for life and the sort of natural charisma few people are blessed with. Her strength of will in twice overcoming breast cancer was awe inspiring, but no one who knew her well was in the slightest bit surprised that she breezed through chemotherapy and a double mastectomy like it was nothing but a minor inconvenience!

Sharon's life was a truly remarkable adventure full of incredible highs, too numerous to mention. After turning down a place at Oxford university for being too posh (a true working class hero!), she gained a first class degree in maths and physics from Loughborough university. After graduating, she began travelling the globe as an engineer, living at various times in Germany, New York, Switzerland and Spain (not forgetting a spell as an English teacher in Thailand!). She went on to become fluent in four languages and latterly used her amazing language skills as a translator, with a sideline as a PR guru, guiding her husband Jason's musical career to great heights. She gave us two beautiful children, Isaac and Daisy, who embody her spirit and will undoubtedly prove a credit to her memory as they spread their own wings.

Sadly, Sharon's final months were haunted by a darkness she could not find her way out of. It speaks to the terrible power of mental illness that someone as resilient and strong as Sharon could not find a way to endure the pain she felt.

For that reason the family request that rather than buy flowers for the funeral, anyone who wishes to can donate to Mind Tyneside via this page http://bit.ly/1UzGyr2 in the hope that others may be spared the heartache with which we will be forever burdened.

As everyone knows Sharon was the ultimate party animal and her farewell will be no different! The funeral service will commence at 12:15pm Monday 27th June at The Palace of Arts, Exhibition Park, Claremont Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT http://bit.ly/1Nw9WNH This building used to be the Military Museum and can be accessed via Exhibition Park main entrance or there is also a pedestrian entrance on Great North Rd. There is no onsite parking so it is advisable to arrive early in order to find a parking space nearby. Order of events is as follows:

12:00 - Arrival
12:15 - Humanist service (Conducted by Stevie Glover)
1:30 - Committal Service at Newcastle Crematorium
                                for family and close friends
2:15 til late - Celebration of Sharon’s amazing life!

As Sharon was closely associated with Breast Cancer charities and had a lifelong obsession with all things pink, we ask that everyone honours Sharon’s memory by wearing something pink on the day.

Sharon will be at the Co-operative Chapel of Rest on Station Rd, Forest Hall. Anyone wishing to see her at rest can visit her between 9:00am – 4:30pm Mon 20th to Fri 24th June (or by appointment on 0191 259 9964 outside of those hours).

The family invite everyone to share messages and memories on Sharon’s Facebook site which will remain open in remembrance.