Pink Angels
A Tribute to Sarah-Jane Sharples (nee Woodward) and Amanda Rynne (MandaMoo).
This week I and many of my group of friends lost two beautiful, courageous and generously-spirited women.
Amanda was a softly-spoken young woman with a beautiful smile that was rarely off her lips. She was a significant part of the work that went into BCNA’s Hope and Hurdles program, from which so many of us have benefited - as well as just being there for people when it was needed most. She was also a tirelessly strong advocate of more support for women with advanced breast cancer. She has left behind a husband and three beautiful young children – and she has left a massive hole in our hearts.
Personally, when I underwent my double mastectomy in 2010, Amanda was one of the first to visit me in Hospital, bringing her reassuring smile – and a beautiful shawl that she had made me. I took it to bed with me last week when I heard of her passing. In order to cope with her loss, I hope to draw from her amazingly positive attitude, which included a readiness to party when the chance presented itself – and the fact that she never had a bad word to say about anybody – ever.
Sarah-Jane was as dear a friend as one could have. Almost to the very end she was actively involved in breast cancer-related fundraising and never stopped offering emotional support to others despite the terrible pain she was clearly suffering. I have no idea where this tiny, petite little woman with the Mona Lisa smile got the courage to do that, especially after receiving repeated bouts of bad news regarding her condition and prognosis. Her appearance and demeanour belied her fortitude. She was as tough as they come. She was a stunningly beautiful, softly-spoken, soft-hearted lady full of love and compassion, who will be terribly missed by us all. She will be missed most of all of course by her beloved husband, Tony, whom she married in hospital just last week – and her gorgeous 13-month old son, Elijah.
To lose two such incredible human beings in one week is as close to unbearable as any of my cancer-related experiences have been.
Heaven has two of its angels back.
I love you both to the moon and back.
Tracey Ryan (Mumma P)
