Inspirational Hastings woman dies after cancer battle

A Hastings woman who inspired people with her positive attitude despite being given just months to live has died following her short battle with cancer.
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Debby Sadler, aged 60, died at home on Wednesday, November 11, with her close family around her.

The mum-of-two was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on July 31, and in August, was told she had just three to six months to live after the cancer had spread to her liver.

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Undeterred, Debby – along with her son David and daughter Lisa Manville – compiled a ‘bucket list’ of activities, affectionately named Adventures With Mum, she would like to complete before she died.

Debby Sadler with her children Lisa Manville and Dave Mayfield SUS-201021-135844003Debby Sadler with her children Lisa Manville and Dave Mayfield SUS-201021-135844003
Debby Sadler with her children Lisa Manville and Dave Mayfield SUS-201021-135844003

The family raised £5,500 through GoFundMe and Dave, 33, a retained firefighter, raised a further £2,000 with the help of crew members in a 10-mile ladder challenge.

Some of the money went to The Fire Fighters Charity but the rest enabled Debby to complete a number of things on her wish list, which included indoor sky diving, getting matching tattoos with Lisa and David and enjoying a spa day with both of her children.

After Debby’s death, Lisa said: “I want to thank each and every person who took the time to donate and to help us tick off as much as we could from Mum’s bucket list. Mum was incredible and an inspiration to us all, I will love her forever.”

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Her son David added: “I would like to mirror that and thank everybody for their kindness, from individuals to businesses who have gone out of their way to help us at a time of need.

Wedding day outfits for the blessing at St Mary's Church in Shoreham SUS-201021-135856003Wedding day outfits for the blessing at St Mary's Church in Shoreham SUS-201021-135856003
Wedding day outfits for the blessing at St Mary's Church in Shoreham SUS-201021-135856003

“Lisa and I were with mum until the end and made sure she knew how loved she was. She kept smiling and joking, even called me a ‘git’ one day when I was joking around with her.

“I believe that Mum will be by my side during my wedding next year and looking down over her friends and family with pride. I’m sure she’s having a well deserved glass of wine with her loved ones in the sky.”

Debby’s death comes at a particularly difficult time for the family who are also coming to terms with the death of Debby’s mum – Lisa and David’s nan – just days before.

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Lisa and David’s dad was also diagnosed with throat cancer in recent months but did not want to tell his children while they were caring for their mum.

The indoor sky dive SUS-201021-135926003The indoor sky dive SUS-201021-135926003
The indoor sky dive SUS-201021-135926003

He has been given approximately six months to two years to live, according to David, but begins undergoing intense radiotherapy starting this week.

Inspired by his mum, David said he is trying to focus on the positives after finding out that his fiancée Charlotte is pregnant. Their little girl is due in May next year.

David and Charlotte will get married in October 2021 after their wedding, which was due to happen in Santorini in May this year, was postponed and then cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. In September, the couple organised a small ceremony at St Mary’s Church, in Shoreham, which gave Debby an opportunity to wear her wedding outfit.