Tributes have been paid to ‘adored’ Nuneaton barber after tragic death aged just 39

A young mum who was a hairdresser to many in Nuneaton has sadly died aged just 39. Lea-anne Evans would have turned 40 next month and would have celebrated her second wedding anniversary with husband Liam later this month.

But tragically the Stockingford resident died just two weeks ago after a brave battle with cervical cancer. It led to an outpouring of grief from her family, friends and the many clients she befriended during her 22-year career.

The mum-of-three went into hairdressing after leaving Hartshill School, starting at The Works in Atherstone. She took a short break working as a receptionist at the old Heartland Evening News office on Corporation Street.

READ MORE:

READ MORE: Aldi’s £5 school uniform bundle is back, but Specialbuy shoppers need to hurry

But her passion and talent for hairdressing saw her return and she worked at the old Reem store in Nuneaton town center before becoming mobile and her last place of work was the Glam Factory in Stockingford.

“She was still doing people’s hair up until a year ago,” said her mum Karen, adding: “She really loved doing it, she was so good she could have been a lecturer if she wanted to but she always loved hairdressing and people he met.”

But after two years of countless doctor’s appointments due to the pain she had suffered, her mother urged her to make another appointment and last June her life was turned upside down, leading to a devastating diagnosis – cervical cancer uterus in stage 4b.

“One day I said ‘you need to examine Lea-anne’ so she booked in at Old Mill (surgery) and the nurse could see the growth, it was the size of an avocado,” said the mum they Karen.

This led her to intensive treatment – sessions of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy. This brutal regimen had almost shrunk the tumor on her cervix, but the cancer was also in her coccyx.

But in her trademark style, she fought bravely for the sake of her husband and three beloved boys, Alfie, Jimmy and Vinnie-Glenn, and the wider family. Tragically, the cancer spread to his lungs and liver.

On June 6 this year, she was given the devastating news that there was no longer any treatment available. Just over two weeks later, on June 21, she died peacefully at home in Heath End Road, surrounded by loved ones.

“She was so brave, she really fought,” her mother said. Famous for her huge smile and trademark “hello” she was known all over town, but even her mother was surprised by how adored she was.

“I knew she was popular because if you went into town with her, you’d have to sit in the parking lot for six hours so she could stop and talk to everyone. he or she to stop them.

“Being in her presence was like being wrapped in a warm hug: ‘She had time for everyone,'” her mother said.

“She loved her family, she loved the bones of her children, she always put them and others before herself, until her last breath pretty close, she really did.”

Through one of her nieces, who was a former maid, she also became involved with the Nuneaton Carnival, using her hairdressing skills to set up the carnival yard for two years.

The grandmother added: “It’s been incredible how people have been, my house is full of flowers and cards. Some of the stuff I’ve had is from people I don’t really know, but I knew Lea-anne.

“The funeral is going to be absolutely massive, we already know 200 people are going to come,” she said. “We want it to be a celebration of her life.”

Her funeral takes place on Wednesday July 17 at 1.15pm at Heart of England Crematorium. She made a personal request that everyone in attendance wear bright colors.

“It was always in bright colors or a leopard print, she loved a leopard print,” her mother said. “That was her everywhere, bright and bubbly, living life to the fullest.

“We all adored her, everyone adored her.”

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 mother through her catering business.

“We just want to do something for the boys,” she said. “That’s 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 old.”

More than £2,500 has been raised so far and anyone who would like to donate to the GoFundMe page can do so via the website here

Get all the Nuneaton and Bedworth news sent straight to you