Tribute to Shannon Carnell
 |
| • Shannon Carnell. |
Leave your tributes or memories of Shannon Carnell by emailing: sally.fairbrother@archant.co.uk
02-11-07
THE GRIEVING mother of a 12-year-old girl, who died two weeks after catching a sinus infection, has paid tribute to her “cheeky, football-mad” daughter Shannon.
On Friday, November 2, a small choir made up of her college friends sang her favourite song, Walking in the Air, during the funeral service.
College principal David Birch, who attended Shannon’s funeral with her tutor Marie McMahon and head of year Chris Darke, said: “We were all shocked at the suddenness of it and the overwhelming feeling of sympathy for the family.
“She had a tonsillectomy two years ago and her colds got worse and worse,” said Shannon’s mother Julie Williams of Manstone Avenue, who lives there with George Carnell, her partner of more than 30 years, and two of their nine children.
“She used to get tonsillitis bad, with a runny nose, but not so bad as she did after she had them out. She was getting a lot of colds and forever blowing her nose.
“The sinusitis we put down to flu, which was going around, or a sickness bug. We didn’t expect it to be so serious.”
When Shannon, a Year 8 pupil at Sidmouth College, had a brain scan at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Wonford, on October 4, she was immediately ambulanced to Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, for an emergency operation.
“She was there for 24 hours, then put in the children’s intensive care unit at Bristol,” said Mrs Williams.
“It was a five hour operation and we were told she had a 50/50 chance.”
Shannon went into a coma following a second brain operation, then had a stroke before going into cardiac arrest.
She died on Sunday, October 14, of cerebral empyema and sinusitis. Her funeral takes place this morning at 10.30am at Emmanuel Baptist Church, conducted by the Reverend Alistair McKenna.
“She was a very popular girl, always there helping someone,” said Mrs Williams, who expects the church to be full for Shannon’s funeral service and burial at Sidmouth Cemetery.
“She was cheeky and football mad. She used to play for Sidmouth Strikers and won medals and a trophy. She also loved to do discus and javelin at Sidmouth College.”
Mr Birch said: “Shannon was just a delight, a really kind and cheerful girl. She had a close-knit group of friends who will be going to her funeral with their families.”
Donations at the church or Shannon’s home will go to Bristol Children’s Hospital. Mrs Williams and Mr Carnell will meet with hospital doctors in about six weeks; to discuss whether an inquest will be held.
TRIBUTES:
Dear lovely Shannon, How you must have suffered. I have shed so many tears for you, dear little angel, so beautiful. God needed you to brighten up Heaven, my thoughts are also with your dear parents. God bless them, Phil Birks
• Back to tributes >>
|
|