Yahoo News Tributes to 'adored' Nuneaton hairdresser after tragic death aged just 39
A young mum who was hairdresser to many across Nuneaton has sadly died, aged just 39. Lea-anne Evans would have been 40 next month, and would have celebrated her second year wedding anniversary to her husband Liam later this month.
But tragically the Stockingford resident died just two weeks ago after bravely battling cervical cancer. It has led to an outpouring of grief from her family, friends and the many customers who became friends during her 22-year-long career.
The mum-of-three went into hairdressing after leaving Hartshill School, starting out at The Works in Atherstone. She took a brief break, working as a receptionist at the old Heartland Evening News office off Corporation Street.
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But her passion and talent for hairdressing led to her going back and she worked at the old Reem shop in Nuneaton town centre, before going mobile and the last place she worked was the Glam Factory in Stockingford
"She was still doing people's hair up to a year ago," her mum Karen said, adding: "She really did love doing it, she was that good she could have been a lecturer if she wanted to but she always loved hairdressing and the people she met."
But, after two years of countless medical appointments over pains she had been suffering, her mum urged her to make another appointment and in June last year her life was turned upside down as it led to a devastating diagnosis - stage 4b terminal cervical cancer.
"This one day, I said 'you need examining Lea-anne', so she booked in at the Old Mill (surgery) and the nurse could see the growth, it was the size of an avocado," her mum Karen said.
It led to her having intensive treatment- chemotherapy, radiotherapy and Brachytherapy sessions. This brutal regime had almost shrunk the tumour on her cervix, but the cancer was also in her coccyx.
But, in her trademark style, she bravely battled on, for the sake of her husband and beloved three boys, Alfie, Jimmy and Vinnie-Glenn and the wider family. Tragically the cancer went on to spread to her lungs and liver.
On June 6 this year, she was given the devastating news that there was no more treatment available. Just over two weeks later, on June 21, she passed away peacefully at home in Heath End Road surrounded by her loved ones.
"She was so brave, she really did fight it," her mum said. Famed for her huge smile and trademark saying 'hello babby', she was known across the town but even her mum was taken aback by how adored she was.
"I knew she was popular because if you went into town with her, you'd have to put six hours on the car park so that she could stop and talk to everyone. You couldn't walk two feet without someone stopping to talk to her, or her stopping them.
"Being in her presence was like being enveloped in a warm hug: "She just had time for everyone," her mum said.
"She loved her family, she loved the bones of her kids, she always put them and others before herself, right up until her last breath near enough, she really did."
Through one of her nieces, who was a former maid, she also got involved with Nuneaton Carnival, using her hairdressing skills to style the carnival court for two years.
The grandma added: "How people have been has been unbelievable, my house is full of flowers and cards. Some of the things we have had are from people who I don't really know but knew Lea-anne.
"The funeral is going to be absolutely massive, we already know 200 people are coming," she said. "We want it to be a celebration of her life."
Her funeral is being held on Wednesday, July 17 at 1.15pm at the Heart of England Crematorium. She made a personal request that bright colours be worn by all those who attend.
"She was always in bright colours or a leopard print, she loved a leopard print," her mum said. "That was her all over, bright and bubbly, she lived life to the full.
"We all adored her, everyone did."
Funds are being raised for her three boys, including a GoFundMe page and also at the Stockingford Pavilion, a place where she spent happy hours working with her sister Sally and her mum through her catering business.
"We just want to do something for the boys," she said. "That is what Lea-anne would have wanted, she lived for those boys and we want to make sure they all have something for when they get older."
So far more than £2,500 has been raised and anyone who would like to donate to the GoFundMe page can do so via the website here
