Tributes paid to Harwich mum who battled rare cancer

Katie Suley, from Harwich, was diagnosed with aggressive signet ring cell cancer back in 2021. 

During a nine and a half hour operation, doctors removed a tumour and half of Katie’s stomach, as well as her pancreas, small intestine, duodenum and gallbladder

She believed her body was fighting the adenocarcinoma while she was pregnant with her daughter, Arabella.

At the same time her mum Sophie had breast cancer and Katie’s nan Sandra Shipp had terminal lung cancer. 

After treatment including chemotherapy it was thought her cancer was in remission but in February last year she was told it had returned.  

After numerous trips to A&E in November, Katie was told the cancer had spread, with the family being advised to bring Christmas forward. 

Defiant Katie made it to Christmas and then to her 30th birthday on January 2. 

Adventures - Katie Suley and daughter Arabella during one of their many adventures (Image: Family)

Katie was later taken home and taken care of “very well” by St Helena Hospice. 

Her family has thanked nurse specialist Ross Chirgwin and district nurse Nickki Palmer for being “absolutely amazing”. 

Katie unfortunately caught an infection with the antibiotics giving to her not working leading to a type of sepsis. 

She died in February after a brave battle. 

Family - Katie Suley (left) with her brother Scott and sister Giorgia (Image: Family)
Paying tribute mum Sophie said Katie was “always strong minded and strong willed.”

Katie was very close to her dad Mike as well as her sister Giorgia and brother Scott - with all the Suley family being a "massive support" to her. 

Katie packed in as much in as she could in to her final months taking Arabella to the beach or to soft play or staying busy at home.

Mum Sophie said she made the “brave decision” to accept her prognosis.

Sophie said: "She was so positive on her darkest days and managed to find a smile and a laugh and a word of encouragement for all those who needed it.”

Inspiration - 400 copies of the book My superhero mummy and me: Katie and Bella: Our Best Year were sold within a week with more being distributed (Image: Submitted)
Katie's story has been shared in a book created by sisters-in-law author Izzy and illustrator Teodora MacPhee.  

Katie was able to see the children’s book – which has no mention of her passing - via laptop the Friday before she died.

All proceeds from the book's sale will go to Arabella.

Love - Katie Suley (right) with her mum Sophie (Image: Family)

A memorial bench will also be placed Harwich beach as the location was Katie's "happy place" and where she learnt to paddle board with Arabella last year.

Katie's funeral will be held on March 8.