Exclusive:Heartbreak as Sheffield mum-of-four loses battle with breast cancer
“She was one of those strong people, we called her a warrior”
A family has been left heartbroken at the death of a mum-of-four from Sheffield after she lost her battle with breast cancer.
Louennie Williamson, from Ecclesfield, was aged 37 when she died despite never wanting to give up, she believing she was going to survive.
Tragically, the “warrior” lost her health battle last week and now a fundraising campaign has been launched to help her devastated children.
She is one of five, with three sisters and one brother, Leroy Williamson, 41, who has launched an online fundraising page to help with funeral costs and to support Louennie’s devastated family.
Leroy said: “When she was ill, she visualised her future self as sitting peacefully under a tree surrounded by orange and purple. She hoped for this for when she got better, we didn’t know it would be in her spirit and ashes.”
The fundraiser is currently almost at £13,000, which will help the family raise enough money to be able to create a private garden space in Grenoside cemetery. Leroy added: “We really want to give her a nice send off, and have a memorial for her for the children to go and grieve.”
Louennie, known as “our Louby”, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024.
She underwent numerous operations at the Hallamshire Hospital breast clinic, in an attempt to remove tumours, but tragically the cancer came back aggressively.
You can donate to the fundraiser HERE
Despite this, she did everything she could to fight the cancer, changing her lifestyle by focusing on her “nutrition and health”.
Last month, she was in Weston Park Hospital for what was thought to be an infection separate to the cancer, when in fact it was the cancer “taking over her body”.
At hospital, she collapsed and lost all feeling in her legs.
From this incident, doctors discovered the cancer had spread into her bones and spine, resulting in paralysis from the chest down.
Leroy said: “When she first started her chemo, she became quite unwell and couldn’t finish it, we found out the cancer had spread to her spine. She was already in hospital with what she thought was an infection, but it was the cancer taking over her body.
“She never wanted to give up, she believed she was going to be okay.”
Her children, Danny, 20, Elyssia, 16, Sonny, 11 and Saul, 10, are currently staying with family whilst they work to find a permanent home.
Leroy shared that their dad, who was separated from Louennie, is looking into getting a new property so he can care for them full time.
He said: “They’re all dealing with it quite differently, but now they just need a new place to live.”
Louennie’s partner, Malachi, 36, is also said to be “devastated” over the loss.
Two years ago, Louennie’s father died from pancreatitis, which left her “heartbroken”. Leroy said some people have suggested she “died from a broken heart” as she fell ill not long after her dad passed.
Remembering Louennie, Leroy added: “For me, it was quite difficult to prepare her for what was coming, because I didn’t want to take away her hope, she was praying for a miracle.
“She always held onto her fighting spirit, she was a warrior.”
You can donate to the fundraiser HERE