Woman, 39, collapses, dies while giving eulogy at 81-year-old father-in-law’s-funeral

A heartbroken mother collapsed and died aged just 39 while speaking at her father-in-law’s funeral service.

Mother-of-three Sarah Healey tragically suffered a cardiac arrest during her eulogy to her children’s grandfather.

Her family said life will ‘never be the same’ – and has been a ‘terrible blow’ to them all.

The nurse, of Staines, Surrey, went to the funeral with her grieving partner James West, and their three children aged 16, 7 and 6.

But tragedy struck the family for a second time as she spoke at the service to father-in-law Roy West, 81.

Ms Healey’s mother, 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 were all devastated by her sudden death.’

The horrific incident happened at Slough Crematorium.

Gladys continued: ‘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 her dad, Dave, I and Sarah’s younger sister, Trisha, who was at the ceremony with us.’

Ms Healey was a registered nurse and a highly qualified prescriber who had moved on to specialise in oncology and the treatment of cancer patients.

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.

‘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.’

Ms Healey’s father, Dave, said 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 added: ‘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.’

Daily Mail