Sharon Conley Obituary, Death -A “inspiring” west Belfast mother who traveled to Mexico for alternative cancer treatment was laid to rest in her wedding gown this week. Mother-of-two Sharon Rooney-Conley (39) died on Sunday, just hours after her son celebrated his fourth birthday.
Her death comes 21 months after she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and given a “poor prognosis” in January 2020.
Before deciding on a double mastectomy, the Divis resident underwent several rounds of chemotherapy. She was given the all-clear at the end of the summer of 2020. Sharon was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer after a routine scan in December 2020 and was given a prognosis of six to two years, with chemotherapy as a treatment option. Sharon, on the other hand, found a medical center in Mexico that provided a comprehensive cancer treatment program.
Her family raised £50,000 through GoFundMe for her treatment and travel. She underwent an MRI scan at Belfast City Hospital after returning home from her treatment at the Hope4Cancer Centre in Cancun, which revealed positive results.
Sharon’s sister, Lisa Rooney, told the Irish News at the time that the family was “delighted” with the outcome and “optimistic for the future.”
Sharon was told she did not need chemotherapy and would be evaluated again in February.
Sharon’s cancer returned in February, and she was given a new chemotherapy regimen.She married her boyfriend Stephen in Carlingford in April, and they honeymooned in New York.
However, when they returned home, they discovered that the cancer had spread. She was admitted to the hospital after receiving a new treatment with “horrendous” side effects. In August, Sharon, the mother of Grace (15) and Cadain (4), was given only a few weeks to live.
She was admitted to the NI Hospice last Friday but died on Sunday, just hours before her son’s fourth birthday. She awoke this week in her wedding gown. Lisa stated yesterday that her sister’s death had left her family “completely and utterly devastated.” “It’ll just sink in that she’s no longer here,” she predicted. “What are we going to do without her?” “She was amazing. She was an inspiration to us, and we are very proud of her accomplishments.” Lisa described her sister as having “extreme bravery,” optimism, and resilience. She described her as a “little warrior.” Today, at 2 p.m., a Requiem Mass will be held at St Peter’s Cathedral, followed by a service at Roselawn Crematorium.
