Derek Shockledge

Derek's enthusiasm for life was infectious, he always managed to squeeze every last piece of enjoyment out of each and every day. His positivity and sense of fun meant that just being in his company would make you feel alive. Derek always believed that you should follow your dreams, they might not work out the way you expected, but at least you tried. Through his sense of self-belief you come to trust that anything was possible. If you believed in yourself as he believed in you.Derek was never fazed by any problem, he always found a solution. He hated to see anyone struggle, and would offer help and support to his family, friends, and even those who had let him down.Derek was tireless and would not give in, he would push himself to overcome anything that could stand in his way and stop him from living his life the way he wanted to and with the people he loved.The tragedy is that on the 28th March 2024, my wonderful husband was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer. On the 5th April 2024 he died peacefully and with dignity at home, in the bed we shared, with me beside him. Since January 2024 he had been developing pain in his back, shoulders and stomach, but each of these conditions were treated as separate issues by health professionals. It was only on the 18th March, following a second visit to A&E that a scan revealed the presence of an abdominal tumour, although it was unclear which organs were affected. By the time it became clear that the cancer originated from his pancreas it was too late, and palliative treatment was the only option available. Derek wanted to die in the home which we loved and to enjoy his final days. He wanted to plan a small party, for the want of a better word, to say goodbye to the people he cared about. But the disease was too aggressive, and by Monday morning an end-of-life care plan was put into place. Derek will never get to see our grandchildren Albie and Dottie grow up. They won't know just how much fun he would bring to their lives, listen to his stories or hear his words of advice and encouragement. Everyone who shared their lives with Derek share in the grief of losing this amazing man. Derek was my soulmate, my angel. We shared almost every moment of our waking time together, as two halves of the same whole. On the day he died he was so weak that he could hardly sit up unaided, yet somehow, and by himself, he got out of the Red Cross hospital bed, which sat beside our own to hold me in his arms before he peacefully passed away. Please leave your memories of Derek on this Tribute page and give whatever you can to raise awareness, develop treatments and work towards a cure for this evil and cruel disease. No-one should ever have to endure what Derek did, and you know that he would do all he could to make sure that he could offer hope and support.