St Giles’ Church was packed to capacity on the afternoon of Monday 13th July when over 200 people, including staff and children from Glebe Primary School, gathered to give thanks for the life of a courageous little girl who touched the lives of all who knew her. The congregation was dressed predominantly in purple with the Glebe School children wearing purple ribbons on their scarlet uniforms in honour of Shona’s favourite colour. Shona’s friends from Year 4, staff who had taught her during her six years at the school, and family members read out memories of her life and the Glebe School choir sang a medley of gospel songs.
Shona was diagnosed with a brain tumour in November 2006 when she was six and she bravely endured major surgery, six weeks of radiotherapy and eleven months of gruelling chemotherapy. In addition, the surgery to remove her original tumour left Shona with significant physical disabilities and communication problems. She had worked hard to overcome some of her mobility problems and regained some speech but sadly, at the end of 2008, her cancer returned. She died peacefully at home with her family on 18th June.
Prior to her illness Shona was a keen dancer; she loved all kinds of arts and crafts and was a regular member of St Giles’ Junior Church. Despite her problems, Shona was able to continue to enjoy life and kept her sense of humour. She attended school even into her last days thanks to the fantastic care and support provided to her by the whole Glebe School community. Shona’s parents, Stephanie and Simon, and her elder sister Iona wish to thank their church family at St Giles’ and friends at the URC for their prayer support over the past three years, and all those in the Ickenham community who have sent messages of sympathy.
