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Brave Sandra loses fight for life

11:03am Tuesday 7th October 2008

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By Ruth Lumley »

Sandra Carey Boggans has sadly lost her four-year battle against cancer.

The mother-of-two died peacefully with her family at her bedside at 8.35pm on Sunday.

Sandra, 44, of The Green, Southwick, was admitted to St Barnabas Hospice in Worthing shortly after her birthday on August 25, as her health began to deteriorate.

Although she had been bed bound for the past few weeks she was still laughing and joking with family and friends.

Mavis Wise, Sandra's mother, said: "We are all devastated but we would like to say a big thank you to everyone for all their support. The boys are coping remarkably well.

"Tom called us at 6am on Sunday and me and my partner David and Sandra's dad and his wife were over there all day holding her hand. She did not come to all day.

"She battled for so long and helped so many other people while she was ill. It is amazing she managed to go on for as long as she did. It was down to sheer will power.

"We have received so much support from so many people, the staff at St Barnabas have been wonderful and The Argus and it's readers have been fantastic. Sandra received so many lovely emails from people."

Sandra's breast cancer was diagnosed in 2004. The former Adur councillor and foster carer thought she had beaten the disease but after having her womb and ovaries removed in 2005, tests showed the cancer had spread and there was nothing more the doctors could do for her.

She was given just two months to live at a time so she and Tom, who had been engaged for two years, decided to get married straight away.

Tom and Sandra's two sons, Jacob, 13 and Lewis, ten, also brought Christmas forward.

Sandra made sure she made the most of the time she had left and also spent hours promoting and raising money for cancer charities.

In June, she helped to open the Cancer Research UK Race For Life in Stanmer Park, Brighton.

A memorial service will be held for Sandra at St Michael's Church, Church Lane, Southwick, on Wednesday October 15 at 2pm, and is being taken by curate Christina Bennett, who knew Sandra well. The service will be followed by a private cremation.

Anyone wishing to send a message to the family can email Tom at thomas.boggans10@ntlworld.com.

Read Sandra's Argus blog here

Leave your tributes to Sandra below.

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Your Say YourArgus

bring back TVS, Brighthelmstone says...
11:13am Tue 7 Oct 08

Saturdays wont be the same without Dear Sandra and her column in the Argus.

You were an inspiration and so down to earth, Sweet dreams Sandra,

Love Sp,MH and not forgetting Superbod

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Seagull Nic, Peacehaven says...
11:29am Tue 7 Oct 08

I agree, I loved reading your Argus columns and you really were a true inspiration to so many people.
My heart goes out to your family for their very sad loss.
Rest in Peace now
xxx

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Honey68, Peacehaven says...
12:04pm Tue 7 Oct 08

It is so sad, but at least she is now pain free.

I used to enjoy reading her column. I hope her Husband and children find the strength they need to get through this.

RIP Sandra
xx

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melfromhove, hove says...
12:44pm Tue 7 Oct 08

What a brave,inspiring woman. She may have left this earth, but not without leaving her mark on it. Best wishes and condolences to her family. RIP

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ellie2000, southwick says...
1:06pm Tue 7 Oct 08

Sandra was such a lovely lady, she always had a smile on her face at the school gates, always said hello. We will miss her around Southwick and at the school. Our thoughts go out to her children and her husband, who will need to be strong at this very sad time. sleep well Sandra. x

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Scudster, Hove says...
2:20pm Tue 7 Oct 08

As one who 'knew' Sandra only from her articles in the Argus, this comes as very sad news. She has shown the bravery to which we would all aspire if we were in similar circumstances and I will miss the way she has shared the latter part of her life with us. Tom, Jacob and Lewis have lost an inspirational wife and mother - and many strangers like me feel we have lost a friend... RIP Sandra.

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annie abbott, shoreham by sea says...
3:12pm Tue 7 Oct 08

Sandra was 'one in a million', she was my boss, my friend, my mentor and an inspiration to myself, my children and everyone who knew her. The world will be a much duller one without her.
RIP darling,
xx

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aannels, southwick says...
3:15pm Tue 7 Oct 08

RIP sandra...i am so glad that my children and myself had the chance to know you, the children loved and respected you enourmously, we are sending all our love to tom, jacob and lewis, you will always be in our hearts and thoughts and we will miss you.....sweet dreams xx

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SeagullTee, Brighton says...
3:50pm Tue 7 Oct 08

I read your column regularly Sandra and your bravery and selfless help for others was truly an inspiration. Your family were blessed to have had you in their lives. My thoughts are with your boys and husband. R.I.P and may your star shine brightly forever. x

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Valerie Vole, Emsworth says...
4:18pm Tue 7 Oct 08

I too read Sandra's column and it was her love of life that was most inspirational.Her story was, in the end,sad but her response to it heartwarming.

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Jon-Luke, Southwick says...
6:19pm Tue 7 Oct 08

Sandra will allways be loved by many, she was such a fantasic and inspiring woman! No-one disliked Sandra, and she never said one bad word! She will never be forgotten by many, and her spirit and love that she poured out to many, will allways remain with us. I remember Sandra Allways waiting outside school with a massive smile on her face, that is one of my favourite memory's of Sandra Carey Boggans. Rest in peace darling, you'll never be forgotten, let a love be with you,

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jojo206, portslade says...
7:00pm Tue 7 Oct 08

what an amazing person, we didnt know each other but i felt we did as i used to read her column in the argus, i was devastated today when i heard that sad news. R.I.P. SANDRA.XX

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Sazchip, Patcham says...
7:09pm Tue 7 Oct 08

What a beautiful, inspirational, courageous and brave lady. I really felt i knew you just by reading your columns and seeing you in Southwick Square in my lunch breaks. Your family must be very proud of you and and i wish them all, especially your dear parents, husband and lovely children all the love in the world. Rest in Peace - you are an absolute ANGEL xxxxxxxxxx

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jenny_franklin, portslade says...
7:25pm Tue 7 Oct 08

hi ya all,

so sorry to hear the sad news, i feel heartbroken, please can to her memorial cos i did know her well, call me love to u all jenny 07979365112

write back
love jenny xxx
rest in peace my best friend sandra, i will always look out for u in the sky and stars,

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Clocktower, HaywardsHeath says...
7:51pm Tue 7 Oct 08

She was a brave and inspirational and courageous Lady. All Love and Best Wishes to the family.

Lucy

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AaronW, Southwick says...
8:37pm Tue 7 Oct 08

Sandra was a fantastic woman, an inspiration to me. I will always have a place in my heart for such a warm, friendly and loving person. She will never be forgotten. I Love You

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jah100, brighton says...
4:34am Wed 8 Oct 08

RIP.............

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Michelle Franks, Southwick says...
9:07am Wed 8 Oct 08

Sandra was such a strong lady. An inspiration.
She will be missed by everyone.

RIP sandra

xxxxx

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Michelle Franks, Southwick says...
9:18am Wed 8 Oct 08

Sending love to the family. Thinking of you xxx

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JGibbons, Portslade says...
11:03am Wed 8 Oct 08

What a lovely woman! She holds so much inspirtation for all of us.

Bless you!!

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snewell, Shoreham-By-Sea says...
1:40pm Wed 8 Oct 08

Thinking of you and your family at this sad time. we feel privilege to have been a colleague and to have had worked with you your insight into young people was of great value to us all at Adur Special Needs Project.

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dawnc, brighton says...
2:23pm Wed 8 Oct 08

I looked forward to reading your column on Saturdays, you shared your life with me and i felt i knew you personally,i cant believe you are gone.Thinking of your family at this sad time. RIP Sandra.

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izzy42, Worthing says...
2:49pm Wed 8 Oct 08

Sleep well Sandra, You are an inspiration to many. So sad to hear you are gone but so surely not forgotten. God bless Tom, Lewis and Jacob also all your family.
RIP SANDRA XX

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tillybaby, brighton says...
5:48pm Wed 8 Oct 08

Such a lovely brave lady we always looked forward to reading her diary just to know shes still fighting it she had me in tears many a times i dont know how she coped,lifes so cruel always the best ones have to go,my aunt died a year ago tom (9th)she was fighting cancer to and always followed sandras diaries,this world wont be the same,thinking of u TOM,LEWIS,JACOB and her mum and all who loved her like we did RIP XXXXXX

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Judge John Deed, Sussex by the Sea says...
9:21pm Wed 8 Oct 08

Sandra was a courageous woman whose infectious laughter and wonderful personality will be sadly missed. I had the pleasure of meeting her many times whilst my mother attended Worthing Hospital for treatments and clinic appointments. Sandra always had a smile and many words for everyone she came into contact with. Where ever she may be in Heaven, it will certainly be a lively, happy place, especially with that lovely laugh! Rest in peace now Sandra for our lost is Heaven's gain.

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Hummingbird, Langley BC Canada says...
10:39pm Wed 8 Oct 08

RIP Sandra, you were an inspiration to us all. Our thoughts are with Tom, Jacob,Lewis and all family members.

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Su, Jaime, Henry, Norwich says...
10:17am Thu 9 Oct 08

Thank you Sandra for your inspiration and positivity whilst battling with Breast Cancer. You will continue to be an inspiration to us all. Condolences and Peace to Tom, Jacob, Lewis and family and friends. Su, Jaime, Henry, Postwick Norwich x

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teresap, peacehaven says...
4:56pm Thu 9 Oct 08

WHAT A BRAVE LADY SANDRA WAS IF ONLY WE ALL CAN BE AS BRAVE WHEN OUR TURN COMES.AS HER BOYS MATURE WITH THE LOVE OF MUM WATCHING THEM AND DAD CARRING ON BECAUSE ITS WHAT SANDRA WISHED MOST OF ALL, I AM SURE THAT IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME THEY WILL REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES AND COME TO REALIZE WHAT A LOVELY MUM THEY HAD. PLUS A DAD THAT WILL BE THERE WITH HUGS SMILES TISSUES TO WIPE AWAY THE TEARS AND MOST OF ALL REMIND THEM THAT LIFE GOES ON ,PEACE COMES AND WITH IT SUCH WARM MEMORIES THAT NOBODY CAN TAKE AWAY FROM THEM ALL RIP SANDRA KNOWING THAT YOU GAVE YOUR THREE BRAVE BOYS LOVE THEY CAN NEVER FORGET

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a miss, Brighton says...
10:30pm Thu 9 Oct 08

You were a true inspiration to everybody.I Didn't know you personally but I read your column every week. It has helped me personally to deal with my own worries. You have touched so many people's hearts. May Tom and your boys and family be proud to have you as a wife,mother and daughter. May you rest in peace.
xx

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marjohn, Irvine, California, USA says...
1:37am Fri 10 Oct 08

RIP Sandra. What a brave battle you fought! I was always praying for a miracle for you. Enjoyed reading your "blog" Through good times and bad you always seemed so cheery and positive. You will be missed so much. My thoughts are with all your lovely family.

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katiebarnes66, southwick says...
9:12pm Fri 10 Oct 08


sandra will miss you with all my love
and i still remember your laugh
jacob,lewis,tom be strong everyone is hear for you and you no where to come if you need to talk
love yhoo al lots
love kate jacobs friend
****


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katiebarnes66, southwick says...
9:35pm Fri 10 Oct 08

will miss you sandra
all those good memories will never be forgotten
you always put on a brave face and a you always had a lovely smile !!!
always thinking about you and your family love you with all our heart miss you
love kate and anna xxxxx

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bulldog lover1971, hove says...
4:10pm Sun 12 Oct 08

thinking of you and the boys at this sad time tom i didnt know you all but i loved reading about you all on a saturday at least your darling sandra is at peace now there we never be another like her god bless rest in peace sandra hope your happy where you are love sam xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxx

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chris pobjoy, southwick says...
6:41pm Tue 14 Oct 08

I had the good fortune to meet Sandra on several occasions over the past couple of years.She was a delightfull person and an insparation.

Chris Pobjoy

Landlord The Romans Pub Southwick

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