“Every member of staff showed love and care not just to Sharon but also to us as a family. Their kindness touched our hearts and really made the whole unbearable situation easier.”
It has been eleven years since we lost our sister, daughter, mum, and great friend Sharon. She lit up a room and her presence in our family is constantly missed. Christmas in particular, is always a lot quieter without her.
When Sharon was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it was the worst news we could have imagined, and we will never know how she coped with it in such a brave and dignified way. She died only 4 weeks after her diagnosis, in St Barnabas Hospice on the 27th November 2011, aged just 42. 
The care she received was first class and nothing was too much trouble. Every member of staff showed love and care, not just to Sharon, but also to us as a family. Their kindness touched our hearts and really made the whole unbearable situation easier.
Sharon was a enormous Christmas fan, and she would buy the most hideous talking, walking musical toys that she could find! The presents that she bought for people had so much thought put into them, it was the highlight of Christmas waiting to see what she had bought. She truly loved the festive season and fully embraced the lovingly chaotic nature of a big family Christmas!
Our family business, S. Lyon & Son Haulage, has been involved in Light Up a Life and the Torchlight Procession for over a decade, supporting St Barnabas in transporting their Tree of Life from the field to Lincoln Cathedral. Each year the tree, with all its lights, brings comfort to people of all ages, which is why we continue to support the Hospice in this way.
This Christmas, please join us in remembering your loved ones in a celebration of light. We invite you to dedicate your light so those who have left us can shine brightly on St Barnabas Hospice’s
beautiful Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral. A donation of £37.32 would cover the cost of one hour specialist nursing care at the hospice just like Sharon received.
The whole family take solace in the incredible care that Sharon received from St Barnabas during her stay in the Hospice for the last two weeks of her life. She loved watching the X-Factor, the
nurses always ensured it was on for her. The staff at the Hospice helped Sharon’s friends to paint her nails and when she wanted hot baths to ease her pain, it was never too much trouble. Even
when we got her home to have dinner with everyone, she asked to go back to the Hospice as this is where she felt safe.
A supporter of St Barnabas in the years before her passing, Sharon would organise a “guess the bear’s name” challenge at the S. Lyon & Son Haulage office, making sure all employees, family and friends participated.
Sharon had so much love for everyone – never judging and always kind. She also loved animals, especially cats and horses, but her greatest love was reserved for her children Jade and Millie, who she called Puppy and Moo! She was the kindest, most thoughtful person and was a true free spirit that didn’t follow the crowd.
Every year we dedicate a light to her, the anniversary of Sharon’s death is usually the same week as the Tree of Life is lit, it brings us comfort to know her light shines bright during this time.
Please join us in shining a light to remember someone special this Christmas. You can remember anyone with a light, not just those cared for by the Hospice. As a thank you and token for your loved one, St Barnabas will send you a personalised card and special tree decoration in the post and the opportunity to attend the breath-taking Torchlight Procession on 22nd November.
St Barnabas Hospice is celebrating its 40th year, supporting the people of Lincolnshire in their most difficult times. Their services are offered free of charge but to continue to deliver this outstanding care, they need to raise over £6million each year. Your donation will help St Barnabas to be there and provide the compassionate and dignified care to people like Sharon.
Sharon was comfortable and safe in the last weeks of her beautiful life, and we cannot thank the St Barnabas nurses and staff enough. We know she would have been so pleased that we continue to support the Hospice, as she took great pride in being part of the team to make the Tree of Life happen each year and it is our way of continuing her legacy.
To dedicate a light online, please visit StBarnabasHospice.co.uk/light-up-a-life
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story.