Shane and Zoe Coldron were Chantry School childhood sweethearts. But unexpectedly Zoe, 44, collapsed and died last week. Her husband Shane has spoken about how the family is coping, plus the overwhelming support he has received.
The devastated boss of a non-league football team in Ipswich has told of the tragic and sudden loss of his wife, mother to their four children, and childhood sweetheart.
Shane Coldron’s wife, Zoe, 44, died at Addenbrooke’s Hospital on January 10 after collapsing at home on Saturday, January 6 - she had suffered an aneurysm.
The pair met when they both went to Chantry School, in Ipswich, but they had gone through their whole school lives together, from infants to juniors and then onto high school.
They were engaged in 1995, married in 2006 and have four children, Charlie 27, Alfie 20, Freddie 13 and Gracie 10, plus a grand-daughter, Skye, who is two.
The family are coping as best as they can in the most difficult of circumstances and are thankful for all the love and support they are getting from family and friends.
Paying a touching tribute to his wife, who had a “beautiful smile”, Shane said: “Zoe had an infectious personality and anyone who ever met her liked her, she had a beautiful smile.
“She was loyal, trustworthy, kind, caring, considerate and ultimately a shining beam of light, of fun, laughter and happiness that many aspired to.
“She has left me a beautiful legacy of my children that I am blessed with today.
“I know she has left an imprint on so many peoples’ hearts through her happy, positive outlook on life.
“One thing she always told our children was to live life to its fullest, never have regrets and always be happy.”
A beautician, Zoe had no health issues leading up to her sudden illness, the shock to Shane and the whole family was unimaginable.
“We had all just enjoyed a fantastic family Christmas,” Shane said.
“We had no idea of anything being wrong.
“I am obviously devastated and the family is coping, as you can imagine, with difficulty.
“I cannot explain how raw it feels right now, but I know she’s looking over me and telling me to ‘get a grip’.
“The children are coping – I’m coping, you have to.
“The fact I’m self-employed, so I can work from home, helps with the school run if nothing else. But it’s hit us hard.”
Shane, who is head of operations at Commercial Roofing Solutions, is also first-team manager of non-league Whitton Football Club in Ipswich.
He has been totally overwhelmed by the support he has received from the non-league footballing world.
“Obviously football is not top of my list of concerns right now, but I have been totally overwhelmed with the support I’ve received from so many people in the non-league game,” he said.
“I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support. It has meant a great deal.
“All the Suffolk Thurlow Nunn and Bostik League and many SIL clubs sent thoughts to me and my family from their club media.
“Managers and players have sent messages direct.
“Stowmarket Town, King’s Lynn and Whitton all held minute silences last weekend. It has just been, as I said, overwhelming.
“I was at Addenbrooke’s Hospital on Saturday, January 6 with Zoe and I messaged my assistant manager at Whitton, Robbie Knott, and asked him for three points and if possible five goals for each of my children and grandchild, we beat Leiston Reserves 5-1.”
Coldron went back to training at Whitton on Tuesday night.
He added: “Just to break the ice with people, as you can imagine, they just don’t know what to say.”
Meanwhile, Whitton’s game on Saturday at home to Norwich United is being dedicated to Zoe.
Last year Shane completed the London Marathon, Zoe supported him throughout the race and his training.
He raised funds for Children with Cancer UK and TTTS, in memory of his daughter Gracie’s twin sister, Ruby, who died at birth 10 years ago.
Zoe also raised funds for Cancer UK.
Shane said: “Zoe and I had discussed what charity we should focus on next and we both agreed to Chrohn’s and Colitis UK, because my eldest daughter Charlie is currently suffering this ongoing and life-long illness.”
A JustGiving page has been set up in Zoe’s name which will now raise funds for that cause.
To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/zoecoldron
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